Information For Citizens
Chemical Emergencies at Home
Learn about the chemicals that could pose a threat to you and
members of your household. Contact agencies with expertise on
hazardous household materials, such as the Missouri Poison Control Center (314-772-5200) or the St. Louis County Health Department (314-615-8958)
Get information from them about potentially dangerous household products and what to do if
someone becomes poisoned with them. Ask specifically about how to
treat poisoning caused by cleaners, germicides, deodorizers,
detergents, drain and bowl cleaners, gases, home medications,
laundry bleaches, liquid fuels, and paint removers and thinners.
Always call the Poison Control Center first (314-772-5200) before treating these or any other poisoning.
You may also want to check out our Household Chemical Emergency page for tips on what to do before, during and after a Household Chemical Emergency
Hazardous Materials Incidents
Hazardous materials are substances that, because of their chemical nature, pose a
potential risk to life, health, or property if they are released. Hazards can exist during
production, storage, transportation, use, or disposal of such substances.
The best ways to protect yourself are to be familiar with the potential dangers, and be prepared to evacuate or shelter-in-place.
You can learn more about what to do by reading our Hazardous Materials page.
Sheltering In Place
Whether you are at home, work or elsewhere, there may be situations when it's simply best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside.
There are other circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as "sealing the room," is a matter of survival. Use available information to assess the situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you may want to take this kind of action.
The process used to seal the room is considered a temporary protective measure to create a barrier between you and potentially contaminated air outside. It is a type of sheltering in place that requires preplanning.
To learn how to shelter in place, read below or download our Shelter in Place brochure. We even have a kids version!
To "Shelter In Place and Seal a Room"
Learn How And When To Turn Off Utilities:
If there is damage to your home or you are instructed to turn off your utilities:
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If you turn the gas off, a professional must turn it back on. Do not attempt to do this yourself.