Chemical explosions can impact your health. Here’s how to stay safe.

Chemical incidents like today’s chemical fire in Shepherd, Texas can impact the health of people living and working nearby.

Here’s what you should know:

How can I prepare for a chemical incident?

Gather some useful supplies before a chemical emergency occurs, like a basic disaster kit.

A basic kit includes:

• Clear plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal windows and doors (Fenceline Watch recommends between four to six millimeters thick)
• Razor or box cutter to cut plastic sheeting
• One gallon of water per person per day
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to filter contaminated air (Fenceline Watch recommends N95 masks)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal hygiene
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities that could leak methane
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and backup battery

During emergencies, look online for information from local emergency managers. You can often sign up for automated text or email alerts from both the city and the county emergency management departments.

How do I shelter in place?

During a chemical incident, local officials may recommend that residents shelter in place.

To protect yourself:

• Turn off furnaces, air conditioners, fans and heaters to minimize toxic airflow
• Use plastic sheeting to seal windows and duct tape to cover gaps around windows and doors. If you don’t have sheeting, put wet towels at the bottom of exterior doors to prevent toxins from getting inside.
• Pack more emergency supplies like prescription medications and personal and insurance important documents in case you’re ordered to evacuate.

What do I do if I was exposed to chemicals?

If your clothes have become contaminated with chemicals, carefully remove all clothing and other items in contact with your body. Put all contaminated items in a plastic bag and seal it.

Immediately wash hands and other exposed skin with soap and water, including after helping someone else decontaminate. Flush your eyes with water and gently wash your face and hair with soap and water before thoroughly rinsing with water.

If you were exposed to smoke or airborne chemicals, leave the area with fumes, stay indoors as much as possible or find an area with fresh air. Lots of sleep also helps your body recover.

If you experience symptoms like skin irritation, runny nose, coughing, shortness of breath, and eye, nose and throat irritation after being exposed to chemicals, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Experts recommend documenting when symptoms began and describing them to a doctor in detail.

How can I find what facilities are in my area?

The Environmental Protection Agency keeps a database of industrial facilities that must report how they manage toxic chemicals. Use the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory and search by your metropolitan area or community profile to find which ones are near you.

Dallas and Houston residents can also use an interactive map developed by environmental groups that shows industrial facilities in those cities.