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Q: What
should I do under a Severe Weather Watch? A: Watch
signifies conditions are right for the potential of sever weather, you are encouraged to
tune to your local media channels to monitor weather information. If outdoors,
you should listen to the local radio channels for emergency broadcast information and
determine where you and your family will take shelter if a storm does develop. Q:
What should I do under a Severe Weather
Warning? A: Please
seek shelter immediately. Severe weather is already happening or is emanate.
Confirm the operation of your battery operated radio and tune to your local media channel
to monitor the situation from the safety of your shelter. As
always, citizens are encouraged to review their emergency kits for fresh batteries, flash
lights, water and other necessary items such as prescription medicines. Suggested
necessary items to have in a family's emergency kit are available from the Red Cross or
your local EMA office.
Q: I found some old cans of chemicals in my garage. What can I do with them?
A: First of all, try to determine, through markings on the containers or other clues, what types of chemicals are in the cans (i.e. - pesticides, old oil or gas, cleaning solutions, etc.) The best way to dispose of these old chemicals is to contact Defiance County Environmental Services at 419-782-5442. They can either assist you or direct you to a proper drop-off facility.
Q: I noticed a strange smell outside my house, and it's coming inside now. Can you check it out?
A: Yes! However, you should always report any unusual odors immediately to your local / jurisdictional fire department or our agency would be happy to coordinate for you.
Q: I noticed a shiny substance of an unusual color on the creek down the road. Can you check it out?
A: Yes! Just as with an usual odor, you should report it immediately to your local
jurisdictional fire department, or, again, we would be happy to coordinate the effort. The Defiance County EMA and fire department will respond to investigate the
unusual occurrence.
Q:
Is the county doing anything to plan or
prepare for SARS?
A: Defiance
County General Health District monitors the SARS situation on an on-going basis and
receives up-to-date health alerts and information regarding SARS. As with any
infectious/communicable disease, the health department provides on-going surveillance and
monitoring of potential outbreaks within the county. Q:
Should products recently purchased from
China, Hong Kong or Taiwan be disinfected?
A: In
regards to the products recently purchased from China, Hong Kong or Taiwan, there are no
clear guidelines. The primary way that SARS appears to spread is by close
person-to-person contact. Potential ways in which SARS can be spread include
touching the skin of other people or objects that are contaminated with infectious
droplets and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. It is also possible that SARS
can be spread more broadly through the air or by other ways that are currently not
known. There are some common-sense measures that you can take to prevent the spread
of SARS that also apply to many infectious diseases. The most important is frequent
hand washing with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand rubs. In addition, you
should avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unclean hands and encourage people
around you to cover their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
Additionally, newly purchased utensils should be washed in hot soapy water (or put through
the dishwasher) and rinsed thoroughly before using.
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