We heard from Adair & Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf earlier this week as he discussed the currently on-going Hazardous Materials Awareness Week in the state of Iowa.

For Kempf, the most important thing about this week is for local residents to simply be prepared in the event a serious chemical accident were to occur.  Therefore, he gives his single most crucial piece of advice for residents to remember this week.

“Know what it is that you have in your homes.  Make sure that if you do have some type of spill, move away from it, call 911 if necessary if you’re not sure what to do about it.  Make sure you walk away… you don’t want to walk into or touch any spilled substances, you don’t want to inhale any gases or fumes.  Just know what to do in an emergency situation.”

Kempf says another important thing pertaining to hazardous materials that residents should do this week is learn how to safely dispose of such materials.  He suggests local residents visit the Iowa DNR’s website by clicking on the link in this story at RaccoonValleyRadio.com for more information.

Kempf also recommends families with children save the number for the Iowa Poison Control Center in their telephones in the event a child gets hold of a dangerous chemical.  That number is 1-800-222-1222.

Finally, if anyone has questions or would like additional information about Iowa’s Hazardous Materials Awareness Week, contact Kempf at 641-332-3030.