12 ways to stay safe during a typhoon

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Typhoons and floods bring with them a spectrum of health hazards, from electrocutions to snakebites, and from leptospirosis to food poisoning.

The Department of Health lists the following tips to help those experiencing the brunt of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international codename Haiyan) stay safe.

1. Don’t leave the house unless absolutely necessary. Children should be prohibited from playing in the rain or flood to prevent contracting leptospirosis and other water-borne diseases.
2. With Yolanda’s strong winds, those outdoors should watch out for flying objects or debris.
3. Do not use gas or electrical appliances that have been flooded.
4. Protect food and water from contaminants by keeping them in sealed containers. Food should be well-cooked.
5. To ensure that water is safe for drinking, boil it for 3 minutes or chlorinate it. 
6. Stay away from places that will likely be inundated by rising water or waves such as beaches and riverbanks. Stay away from landslide-prone areas.
7. When evacuation is necessary, switch off your home’s main power supply, place appliances and belongings on higher locations and close windows before leaving. 
8. Wear warm and dry clothing.
9. Consult a doctor immediately once you or any member of your household shows symptoms of disease to prevent infecting others in the evacuation center. Common diseases or infections that spread in evacuation centers are coughs and colds, acute gastroenteritis, skin and eye infections, measles, dengue, leptospirosis and hepatitis A.
10. Properly dispose of all waste.
11. Wash your hands before and after eating and using the toilet.
12. Stay away from hanging wires and unstable structures (damaged houses, bridges, ports near rough waters, etc).

Around P15 million worth of assorted drugs and medicines, medical supplies, water and sanitation for health (WASH) kits, cot beds, family tents, and other emergency supplies are available in DOH regional offices in areas being battered by super typhoon Yolanda, said Health Secretary Enrique Ona on November 8, Friday.

These regional offices are Centers for Health Development VI (Western Visayas), VII (Central Visayas), and VIII (Eastern Visayas) and the DOH Manila central office.

Code Blue has been activated in all regions, meaning medical personnel in the regional offices will go on 24-hour duty. Ona also instructed hospitals to be on Code White, meaning their response teams must be on standby. – Rappler.com