Hazardous materials in various forms can cause fatalities, serious injury, and damage to buildings, homes, and other property.  Specialized equipment is often required to handle or dispose of hazardous materials safely.  Hazardous materials incidents vary in their intensity, size, and duration.  Most incidents are small in scope and only require a limited response.  Occasionally there will be a large incident or one involving a chemical that requires evacuation of the surrounding area.

The Collin County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) is the organization responsible for the development and implementation of hazardous materials planning within the County.  The Collin County LEPC is charged with ensuring that residents and workers in Collin County are aware and informed of their right to know what chemicals are being stored, used, released, and discarded.  The LEPC is also responsible for facilitating public requests for such information, as required by law.

Contact your LEPC to find out more about the chemical hazards and what needs to be done to minimize the risk to individuals and the community from these materials.

What to do During a Hazardous Materials Incident…

If a HAZMAT incident occurs near your location, tune in to local media for detailed information and instructions.  Follow the instructions carefully.  You should stay away from the area to minimize the risk of contamination.  Remember that some toxic chemicals are odorless.

• If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately.  Follow the routes recommended by authorities.  If you have time, minimize the contamination of your house by closing all windows, shutting all vents, and turning off attic fans.
  
  
• If you are caught outside, stay upstream, uphill, and upwind.  In general, try to go at least one-half mile away from the danger area.  Do not walk into or touch any spilled liquids, airborne mists, or condensed solid chemical deposits.  Try not to inhale gases, fumes, and smoke.  Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth while leaving the area. 
  
  
• If you are caught in your vehicle, keep the windows and vents closed and shut off the air conditioner and heater.  Stop and seek shelter in a permanent building. 
  

If You Are Requested to Stay Indoors…

• Bring all occupants and pets inside.
  
  
• Close all exterior doors and windows.  Close vents, fireplace dampers, and as many interior doors as possible.
  
  
• Turn off air conditioners and ventilation systems.
  
  
• Go into the pre-selected shelter room.  This room should be above ground and have the fewest openings to the outside.
  
  
• Seal gaps around doorways, windows, vents, exhaust fans, and air conditioning units with wet towels or plastic sheeting and duct tape.
  
  
• If gas or vapors could have entered the building, take shallow breaths through a cloth or a towel.   Avoid eating or drinking any food or water that may be contaminated.
  
  
• Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
  
  
• If you think you may have come in to contact with or have been exposed to hazardous chemicals, immediately follow decontamination instructions from local authorities and seek medical treatment for unusual symptoms.
  
  
• Placed exposed clothing and shoes in tightly sealed containers.  Call local authorities to find out about proper disposal.

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