AY Honors/Red Alert II/Answer Key

Red Alert II

Skill Level

1

Year

2022

Version

27.11.2024

Approval authority

North American Division

Note

It is not necessary to have completed Red Alert I as a prerequisite for this honor.

1

For each of the following emergencies, explain how it can be dangerous, what precautions can be made beforehand and what actions can be taken during the event:

1a

Chemical Emergency

Chemicals are found everywhere – in our kitchens, medicine cabinets, basements, and garages. In fact, most chemical accidents occur in our own homes. |Under certain conditions, chemicals can be poisonous or have a harmful effect on your health. Some chemicals that are safe, and even helpful in small amounts, can be harmful in larger quantities or under certain conditions. Chemical accidents do happen, at home and in the community.

You may be exposed to a chemical in three ways:

• Breathing the chemical
• Swallowing contaminated food, water, or medication
• Touching the chemical, or coming into contact with clothing or things that have touched the chemical

Remember, you may be exposed to chemicals even though you may not be able to see or smell anything unusual.

Home chemical accidents can result from trying to improve the way a product works by adding one substance to another, not following directions for use of a product, or by improper storage or disposal of a chemical. Fortunately, a few simple precautions can help you avoid many chemical emergencies.

• Avoid mixing chemicals, even common household products. Some combinations, such as ammonia and bleach, can create toxic gases.
• Always read and follow the directions when using a new product. Some products should not be used in small, confined spaces to avoid inhaling dangerous vapors. Other products should not be used without gloves and eye protection to help prevent the chemical from touching your body.
• Store chemical products properly. Non-food products should be stored tightly closed in their original containers so you can always identify the contents of each container and how to properly use the product. Better yet – don’t store chemicals at home. Buy only as much of a chemical as you think you will use. If you have product left over, try to give it to someone who will use it. Or see below for tips on proper disposal.
• Beware of fire. Never smoke while using household chemicals. Don't use hair spray, cleaning solutions, paint products, or pesticides near the open flame of an appliance, pilot light, lighted candle, fireplace, wood burning stove, etc. Although you may not be able to see or smell them, vapor particles in the air could catch fire or explode.
• Clean up any spills immediately with some rags, being careful to protect your eyes and skin. Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors in a safe place, then wrap them in a newspaper and place the bundle in a sealed plastic bag. Dispose of these materials with your trash. If you don't already have one, buy a fire extinguisher that is labeled for A, B, and C class fires and keep it handy.
• Dispose of unused chemicals properly. Improper disposal can result in harm to yourself or members of your family, accidentally contaminate our local water supply, or harm other people or wildlife.

If an accident involving hazardous materials occurs, you will be notified by the authorities as to what steps to take. You may hear a siren, be called by telephone, or emergency personnel may drive by and give instructions over a loudspeaker. Officials could even come to your door. If you hear a warning signal, you should go indoors and listen to a local Emergency Alert System (EAS) station for emergency instructions from county or state officials.

Important Points to Remember

• In the event of an emergency, follow the instructions of the authorities carefully. They know best how to protect you and your family. Listen to your emergency broadcast stations on radio and TV.
• Use your phone only in life-threatening emergencies, and then call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), 9-1-1, or the operator immediately.
• If you are told to "shelter in place", go inside, close all windows and vents and turn off all fans, heating or cooling systems. Take family members and pets to a safe room, seal windows and doors, and listen to emergency broadcast stations for instructions.
• If you are told to evacuate immediately, follow your Family Disaster Plan. Take your Family Disaster Supplies Kit. Pack only the bare essentials, such as medications, and leave your home quickly. Follow the traffic route authorities recommend. Don't take short cuts on the way to the shelter.
• If you find someone who appears to have been injured from chemical exposure, make sure you are not in danger before administering First Aid.

And lastly, remember, the best way to protect yourself and your family is to be prepared.

In Case of Poisoning

The most common home chemical emergencies involve small children eating medicines. Keep all medicines, cosmetics, cleaning products, and other household chemicals out of sight and out of reach of children. Experts in the field of chemical manufacturing suggest that doing so could eliminate up to 75% of all poisoning of small children.

If someone in your home does eat or drink a non-food substance, find the container it came out of immediately and take it with you to the phone. Call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222), or Emergency Medical Services (EMS), or 9-1-1, or call the operator and tell them exactly what was ingested.

1b

Drought/Water Conservation

A drought is a period of abnormally dry weather that persists long enough to produce a serious hydrologic imbalance, causing, for example, crop damage and shortages in the water supply. The severity of a drought depends on the degree of moisture deficiency, the duration, and the size of the affected area. Drought can be defined four ways:

• Meteorological Drought—when an area gets less precipitation than normal. Due to climatic differences, what is considered a drought in one location may not be a drought in another location.
• Agricultural Drought—when the amount of moisture in the soil no longer meets the needs of a particular crop.
• Hydrological Drought—when the surface and subsurface water supplies are below normal.
• Socioeconomic drought —when water supply is unable to meet human and environmental needs can upset the balance between supply and demand.

Water Restrictions

In communities where drought conditions exist, officials may recommend water conservation measures to restrict use of water. These recommendations may include such procedures as watering lawns and washing cars on odd or even days of the week, at night, or on weekends. The restrictions may limit hours or prohibit use of water, or require use of hand watering instead of using sprinkler systems that use much more water. You should check with your local authorities or water utility for information on water restrictions that may be imposed for your area.

Conserving water is particularly important when drought strikes, but it’s also a good habit to be in at all times for environmental reasons. Try to do at least one thing each day to conserve water.

Water Conservation Tips

• Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it. Use it to water your indoor plants or garden.
• Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. One drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons of water per year!
• Take shorter showers. Turn the water on to get wet; turn off to lather up; then turn the water back on to rinse.
• Place a bucket in the shower to catch excess water for watering plants.
• Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth, washing your face or shaving.
• When hand washing dishes, save water by filling two containers - one with soapy water and the other with rinse water containing a small amount of chlorine bleach.

1c

Power Outage

A power outage occurs when the electrical power goes out. Planned or unexpected, it can last for days or longer, disrupting communications, water, transportation, stores, banks and other services. This may impact needs such as lighting, heating, cooling, communication, food and medicine refrigeration, cooking and medical equipment.

• Assembling an emergency preparedness kit.
• Creating a household evacuation plan that includes your pets.
• Staying informed about your community’s risk and response plans.
• Ensuring each family member knows how to get back in touch if you are separated during an emergency.
• Download the Emergency App for iPhone or for Android.

What to Do During a Power Outage

• Monitor alerts.
• Contact your support network.
• Keep food cold and when in doubt, throw it out.
• Prevent power overloads and fire hazards.
• Decide if you need to stay or go.

2

List some natural disasters that are local to your area and brainstorm specific ways you can prepare for them before they occur.

Examples:

• Earthquake
• Tornado
• Hurricane
• Snowstorm
• Ice Storm
• Heavy Winds
• Flood

3

Create a list of at least 20 recommended items to include in a basic emergency supply kit for the home. If your home does not have such a kit, create one and store it in a safe place for potential future emergencies.

Here are some items that can be added to a basic emergency supply kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Radio, battery-powered or hand crank radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pens

4

Locate where to find the fire extinguisher in your home. If there isn’t one, make a plan with your family to obtain one. Discuss with your parents if it is properly located and if the number of extinguishers is adequate. Read the instructions with your parents and fully understand how to operate them.

5

Answer the following:

5a

What are some items to include in an emergency preparedness kit that can be stored in your family’s vehicle? List at least 10.

Here is a list of some items that can be included in an emergency preparedness kit:

• High protein snacks
• Water
• First Aid kit
• Flashlight
• Cell phone with chargers
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Maps of the area
• Duct tape
• Umbrella
• Multi-purpose tool
• Small battery-operated radio
• An emergency contact card with names and phone numbers, extra prescription medications and important documents or information you may need

5b

What are three general safety guidelines a person can do before traveling by vehicle, whether it be a short or long trip?

• Wear a seatbelt.
• Carry an emergency kit in the vehicle.
• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your vehicle gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route.
• Find out what disasters may occur in the place where you are traveling, especially if they are disasters you have never experienced before. * Find out how you would get information in the event of a disaster (local radio systems, emergency alert systems).
• Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination. Travel and weather web sites can help you avoid storms and other regional challenges that could impact your safety.

5c

What safety precautions could a passenger practice in order to assist with car safety?

• Keep items & hands to yourself (Do not throw things in the car)
• Be agreeable and cooperative with other passengers (don’t fight with other passengers)
• Keep noises at an acceptable level
• Assist the driver with answering text messages
• Watch driver for signs of drowsiness and bring it to their attention
• Help navigate
• Keep all body parts and toys inside the vehicle
• Assist with snacks or other tasks
• Buckle up and stay buckled up.

6

Complete the following:

6a

List three actions you can take when there is an active shooter in the vicinity?

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life.

1. RUN If there is an accessible escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises. Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow
• Leave your belongings behind
• Help others escape, if possible
• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be
• Keep your hands visible
• Follow the instructions of any police officers
• Do not attempt to move wounded people
• Call 911 when you are safe

2. HIDE If evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the active shooter is less likely to find you.

Your hiding place should:

• Be out of the active shooter’s view
• Provide protection if shots are fired in your direction (i.e., an office with a closed and locked door)
• Not trap you or restrict your options for movement

To prevent an active shooter from entering your hiding place:

• Lock the door
• Blockade the door with heavy furniture

If the active shooter is nearby:

• Lock the door
• Silence your cell phone and/or pager
• Turn off any source of noise (i.e., radios, televisions)
• Hide behind large items (i.e., cabinets, desks)
• Remain quiet

If evacuation and hiding out are not possible:

• Remain calm
• Dial 911, if possible, to alert police to the active shooter’s location
• If you cannot speak, leave the line open and allow the dispatcher to listen

3. FIGHT As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the active shooter by:

• Acting as aggressively as possible against him/her
• Throwing items and improvising weapons
• Yelling
• Committing to your actions

Also, never, ever forget the power of prayer.

6b

Point out the quickest evacuation route from your educational institution and/or place of worship.

6c

Know the information to provide to an emergency phone operator, such as 911 or 999.

• Location of the active shooter
• Number of shooters, if more than one
• Physical description of shooter/s
• Number and type of weapons held by the shooter/s
• Number of potential victims at the location

6d

Explain how you should respond when law enforcement arrives.

Law enforcement's purpose is to stop the active shooter as soon as possible. Officers will proceed directly to the area in which the last shots were heard.

• Remain calm, and follow officers’ instructions
• Put down any items in your hands (i.e., bags, jackets)
• Immediately raise hands and spread fingers
• Keep hands visible at all times
• Avoid making quick movements toward officers such as holding on to them for safety
• Avoid pointing, screaming and/or yelling
• Do not stop to ask officers for help or direction when evacuating, just proceed in the direction from which officers are entering the premises

The first officers to arrive at the scene will not stop to help injured persons. Expect rescue teams comprised of additional officers and emergency medical personnel to follow the initial officers. These rescue teams will treat and remove any injured persons. They may also call upon able-bodied individuals to assist in removing the wounded from the premises.

Once you have reached a safe location or an assembly point, you will likely be held in that area by law enforcement until the situation is under control, and all witnesses have been identified and questioned. Do not leave until law enforcement authorities have instructed you to do so.

7

Memorize the following texts and discuss what wisdom they offer about being prepared and ready in case of emergencies:

7a

Proverbs 21:20

Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NKJV)

7b

1 Corinthians 16:13

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
— 1 Corinthians 16:13 (NKJV)

7c

1 Thessalonians 5:6

There is desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.
— Proverbs 21:20 (NKJV)

References

American Red Cross:

• Chemical Emergency
• Drought Preparedness
• Power Outage

• Federal Emergency Management Agency Active Shooter Answer Key