Hazardous material can be explosive, poisonous, or radioactive. Most of the incidents caused by hazardous materials occur during transport, or as an accident in the manufacturing plant. If there is a hazardous material incident in your area, you’ll be asked to either evacuate the area or stay indoors.
If you’re asked to evacuate immediately, grab your family’s emergency supplies and head to your emergency out-of-town contact’s location. Always use suggested routes, as the roads may be unsafe. If you have any usual symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately.
If you’re asked to stay indoors, seal your windows and doors with plastic, duck tape, or whatever materials you have readily available, as was discussed in the Sheltering In Place tip. Don’t stay indoors and wait it out if you are told to evacuate. Eventually hazardous materials can seep into the air even when you use preventative measures, so evacuating is usually the best alternative.