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In case of a major chemical disaster

- Keep calm and do not panic.

- Listen to the radio and follow official instructions. Inform your neighbours, especially the elderly and handicapped and assist them.

- Stay inside, if at home, or shelter in a building and close all doors and windows. Seal all exterior openings and tum off the ventilation, air conditioning and heating.

- Protect your mouth and nose, if in the open, with a wet cloth or a protective mask, shelter in the nearest building and remain inside until otherwise instructed by the authorities.

- Do not telephone as this overloads the system.

- Follow the orders of the civil protection, fire service, police or other intervening services.

- Eat only food stored inside a building, such as tinned food and preserves. Drink only from bottles or cartons.

- Follow the instructions on the use of tap water.

- If you are in a car, tum off the ventilation and close the windows. Listen to the radio and shelter in the nearest building. Follow the instructions of the authorities. If in public transport follow the crew's instructions.

After the disaster

- Follow the orders of the civil protection, fire service, police or other intervening services.

- The evacuation of members of the public is unlikely in areas with buildings and homes that can be hermetically sealed. The decision to evacuate or stay will be taken by the relevant political authority (national or provincial government) who will organise the evacuation using all the civilian and military means at their disposal and in collaboration with the services responsible for the reception area. Follow the authorities' orders and instructions.

- Taking all necessary precautions, assist neighbours and persons in need such as the wounded, children, handicapped and the elderly, in collaboration with the intervention and rescue teams.

- The above objectives should be included in the necessary legislation on the protection of the public and the environment which lays down the obligations concerning the production, use, handling, transport and storage of dangerous substances. Protection of ground water and the air is also of primary importance.

- In view of the potential dangers, it is most important that managers of firms and installations working with dangerous chemical products be fully aware of their responsibility and make constant efforts to ensure optimal security in this matter. This calls for close collaboration with official watchdogs and safety bodies and with the local and regional political authorities and their intervention services, especially the fire service and police as well as with the information and alarm centres of civil protection services.

- Experience with toxic leaks, among others, has shown that the following specific preventive and protective measures should be taken:

- Knowing the chemicals which are potentially dangerous, their production, use, storage, transport, handling and the threat they pose: fire, explosion, leak, uncontrolled reaction.

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