Explosions

Terrorists have frequently used explosive devices as one of their most common weapons. Terrorists do not have to look far to find out how to make explosive devices; the information is readily available in books and other information sources. The materials needed for an explosive device can be found in many places including variety, hardware, and auto supply stores. Explosive devices are highly portable using vehicles and humans as a means of transport. They are easily detonated from remote locations or by suicide bombers.

Conventional bombs have been used to damage and destroy financial, political, social, and religious institutions. Attacks have occurred in public places and on city streets with thousands of people around the world injured and killed.

How can I protect myself from explosions?

• What to do if your recieve a bomb threat
• What to do during an explosion
• What to do after an explosion
• Be wary of suspicious packages and letters

• Bomb Threat

  If you receive a telephoned bomb threat, you should do the following:

• Get as much information from the caller as possible. Try to ask the following questions:
  
  
  1. When is the bomb going to explode?
  2. Where is it right now?
  3. What does it look like?
  4. What kind of bomb is it?
  5. What will cause it to explode?
  6. Did you place the bomb?
  7. Why?
  8. What is your address?
  9. What is your name?
  
  
• Keep the caller on the line and record everything that is said.
  
  
• Notify the police and building management.

• During an Explosion

  If there is an explosion, you should:

• Get under a sturdy table or desk if things are falling around you. When they stop falling, leave quickly, watching for obviously weakened floors and stairways. As you exit from the building, be especially watchful of falling debris.
  
  
• Leave the building as quickly as possible. Do not stop to retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls.
  
  
• Do not use elevators.

Once you are out:

• Do not stand in front of windows, glass doors, or other potentially hazardous areas.
  
  
• Move away from sidewalks or streets to be used by emergency officials or others still exiting the building.

If you are trapped in debris:

• If possible, use a flashlight to signal your location to rescuers.
  
  
• Avoid unnecessary movement so you don’t kick up dust.
  
  
• Cover your nose and mouth with anything you have on hand. (Dense-weave cotton material can act as a good filter. Try to breathe through the material.)
  
  
• Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can hear where you are.
  
  
• If possible, use a whistle to signal rescuers.
  
  
• Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause a person to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

• Recovering from Disaster

  Recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process. Safety is a primary issue, as are mental and physical well-being. If assistance is available, knowing how to access it makes the process faster and less stressful. This section offers some general advice on steps to take after disaster strikes in order to begin getting your home, your community, and your life back to normal.

• Suspicious Packages and Letters

  Be wary of suspicious packages and letters. They can contain explosives, chemical or biological agents. Be particularly cautious at your place of employment.

  Some typical characteristics postal inspectors have detected over the years, which ought to trigger suspicion, include parcels that:

• Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
  
  
• Have no return address, or have on that can’t be verified as legitimate.
  
  
• Have protruding wires or aluminum foil, strange odors, or stains.
  
  
• Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn’t match the return address.
  
  
• Are of unusual weight given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped.
  
  
• Are marked with threatening language.
  
  
• Have inappropriate or unusual labeling.
  
  
• Have excessive postage or packaging material, such as masking tape and string.
  
  
• Have misspellings of common words.
  
  
• Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
  
  
• Have incorrect titles or titles without a name.
  
  
• Are not addressed to a specific person.
  
  
• Have hand-written or poorly typed addresses.

With suspicious envelopes and packages other than those that might contain explosives, take these additional steps against possible biological and chemical agents.

• Refrain from eating or drinking in a designated mail handling area.
  
  
• Place suspicious envelopes or packages in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents. Never sniff or smell suspect mail.
  
  
• If you do not have a container, then cover the envelope or package with anything available (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.) and do not remove the cover.
  
  
• Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
  
  
• Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
  
  
• If you are at work, report the incident to your building security official or an available supervisor, who should notify police and other authorities without delay.
  
  
• List all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give a copy of this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.
  
  
• If you are at home, report the incident to local police.