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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHousing, Shelter, Nutrition and Recreation in Civil Defense TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE CIVIL DEFENSE - A Part of the On -Going Extension HOUSING Programs Prepared by: Mrs. Laura J. Russell, Area Specialist in Housing -Home Furnishings Miss Bobye J. Riney, Specialist in Rural Civil Defense Ways of including civil defense subject matter into specific Housing programs: 1. Help homemakers locate the safest place in their home. Demonstrate ways to increase this protection. 2. Homemakers should know shelter alternatives in order to make the wisest choice (see attached shelter information) when planning for a fallout shelter. 3. Any program on building or remodeling a house should include the importance of planning for a protected area whether it be an underground shelter away from the house, a basement under the house or following the core concept. Building a new home today without a fallout shelter would be like leaving out the bathroom 15 years ago. Information should also include multiple use idea. 4. Programs concerning home furnishings should include necessary supplies, equipment and furnishings needed for emergencies. 5. Programs on equipment could include the same information. (Ref: Family Survival Plan, page 7). 6. Household storage programs could include where such equipment and supplies would be stored if the family did not have a fallout shelter. 7. Programs on Family Finance could include available shelter financing. 8. Programs on furniture arranging could include the importance of a well planned fallout shelter since the floor space is usually limited. 9. Programs on color schemes and interior decoration should include importance of making shelter area as cheerful as possible through use of vivid colors, mirrors, etc. SHELTER ALTERNATIVES Prepared by: Bobye J. Riney, Rural Civil Defense Laura J. Russell, Housing -Home Furnishings The safest area in the home - center hallway or storage closet -add sand bags, concrete blocks, other material - prevent overloading of structure - minimum cost depending on material used Basement as fallout shelter -build concrete block shelter in basement - select southwest corner for tornado protection - place support across top to: support debris load reduce penetration of radiation -dual use a photographic dark room, storage -cost about $100 to $300 CORE Concept as fallout shelter - reinforce inner portion of house with 16" concrete or more - used in areas where: fallout intensity may not be too high and where water table is too high - excellent when remodeling or building or adding shelter -used also as pantry or utility room Underground fallout shelter - best protection - lessens danger from falling debris - cover with 16" concrete or 24" soil and concrete for 1 /100 p/f - equip with proper entrance, ventilation, lighting - dual use as workshop, photographic darkroom, storage -cost about $800 to $1,200 Aboveground fallout shelter - necessary where water level is high, rock close to surface - construct of two walls of concrete block filled with soil -roof of concrete slab or earth filler combination -dual use as toolhouse, workshop, utility, storage - cost of $900 - $1,250 Fallout shelter in new house construction - planning flexibility at maximum - core concept, basement, under and above ground shelters all applicable -other advantages: protection of landscape features, choice in siting, protection of paved terraces and drives, neighboring buildings, built -in utilities and physical features - multipurpose uses: maximum possibilities at planning stage; as guest bedroom, recreation, play room, utility, storage, workshop, darkroom. - 2 - Storm cellar as fallout shelter -add baffled entrance and ventilation -or stack sandbags over entrance and add ventilation -cover with three feet of earth -if building locate southwest of house for tornado protection -cost to convert - 0100 - 0200 Public, community and emerencv fallout shelters - certain buildings marked and stocked by federal government - certain communities building shelters where families buy a share -some emergency protection provided by tunnels, mines, caves, culverts SHELTER FURNISHINGS AND EQUIPMENT Furnishinms: Bunk beds, cots, or sleeping bags Folding chairs or stools, or benches Hinged wall table or folding table Radio with batteries Storage closets and shelves Equipment: Fire extinguisher Lighting: electrical, lanterns, flashlight, hot shot battery wired to bulb Heating: mainly obtained by body heat in close quarters Plumbing: In rural areas where water is supplied by windmill and overhead tank, water could easily be piped to shelter. If not, store water. Sanitation: covered cans for garbage, small and large covered can for human waste lined with plastic bags Supplies: Food Water Medical Tools Recreation Miscellaneous Sanitation SHELTER ARRANGEMENT: Promote both physical comfort and high morale. Housekeeping areas: food, preparation, storage, sanitation, sleeping Plan for maximum space and air circulation High morale obtained by painting walls and ceiling, wall mirrors and murals, floorcovering, mock curtains FINANCING FALLOUT SHELTER BY: FHA Title I Home Improvement Loan FHA Title II Loan VA Loan Banks Credit Unions Insuance_?olicies TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE CIVIL DEFENSE - A Part of the On -Going Extension FOODS AND NUTRITION Program Prepared by: Miss Maeona Cox, Specialist in Foods and Nutrition Miss Louise Mason, Specialist in Foods and Nutrition Miss Frances Reasonover, Specialist in Foods and Nutrition Miss Marie Tribble, Specialist in Foods and Nutrition Miss Bobye J. Riney, Specialist in Rural Civil Defense Ways of including civil defense subject matter into specific Foods and Nutrition programs. (Ref: Emergency Food and Water MP-666). 1. Buying and shopping programs such as "The Market Basket" or "A Stop 'N' Go Shopping Plan" could include types of food to store for emergencies as shoe on page 8. 2. Meal and Menu planning programs should include similar type information. One agent had a program on "Breakfast Bait" and included breakfast menus suitable for emergency living as shown on page 10. 3. Kitchen Storage or Kitchen Efficiency programs could include the two storay methods of emergency foods shown on page 3. This is a real problem to many homemakers. 4. Programs on Freezing Fruits, Vegetables, etc. could include: a. Effects of radioactive fallout on food. It is important that homemakers know food will be safe unless radioactive particles get into or become mixed with it. (page 3) b. Food in freezer will be safe from fallout. The only danger would be in case of power failure (page 5). 5. Programs on cooking foods should include the fact that cooking does not destroy radioactive fallout. It is destroyed only by the passage of time. 6. Some Home Demonstration Clubs have worked with local food store owners in setting up exhibits on "Emergency Food Supply ". A display of suggested food items for a family of two with approximate cost was displayed in one food store. 7. Programs on Food Packaging could include packaging of stored foods. Foods should be in cans, jars or air tight paper containers, preferably in sizes that can be used for one meal. Air -tight sealed containers are very impor- tant in humid areas. 8. A nutrition program could also include pertinent facts concerning Strontium 90, but only if the person giving the program is familiar with the follwoin, facts: a. Sr 90 is one of a number of radioactive isotopes found in Beta particles which is not dangerous unless consumed. b. This problem would be of major concern following fallout and after leaving shelter. It is of major concern because it has a half -life of 27 years ( in other words, it will be decayed by one -half at the end of 27 years) . c. Sr 90 reacts like calcium. When contaminated food is eaten by man or animal, the Sr 90 is stored in the bones and can cause bone cancer if consumed in heavy quantities. We need not panic about this problem for the following reasons: a. There will be no danger if human beings and animals have a non- contaminated diet. b. Both men and animals have an apparent "discrimination factor." This means that the body retains less strontium if the diet contains adeauat= calcium. The milk cow screens out about 90 percent of the strontium in her diet. c. Host strontium goes to the milk and bone of animals. It can be removed from milk, but the process is expensive and impractical at the present time. Taking the bone out of meat prior to cooking should remove most of the strontium. Thus, the animal becomes a screen, removing much of the hazards to humans. d. Adults use little calcium in comparison with children since childrents bones develop rapidly. Doubly important that children consume as little contaminated milk as possible. Another good reason for storing dried and canned milk. TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE CIVIL DEFENSE - A Part of the On -Going Extension RECREATION Program Prepared by: Miss Lucille r Moore, Specialist in Recreation Miss Bobye J. Riney, Specialist in Rural Civil Defense All recreation programs should include plans for emergencies. An emergency can be a prolonged sickness causing confinement; sever injuries; natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, hurricanes; man -made disasters such as explosions, nuclear explosions, mass fires, and fallout. When confined to a limited area over a period of time, boredom becomes a major problem. Boredom promotes depression, grief, panic, apathy, despondency, unnecessa: fear, vandalism, and health problems. A family with children should give special consideration to the needs of recreation kits and game plans. To children play is as essential as food and love, and familiar toys and games help provide emotional security. Following are suggestions that will help provide high moral under extended emergency conditions and help prevent boredom: 1. Regular physical exercise is necessary to prevent stiff, sore muscles and physical weakness. Example: Sitting up exercises, marching to bed or to eat, rhythm games. 2. husic: for all ages and size of groups Activities: singing, musical games, marching, rhythm games Equipment: song books, record player, mouth organ, ukelele, guitar, radio 3. Games: table games and amusements should be included for all ages. Games that will not create too much noise when played are best. Activities: table games, active games. Equipment: cards, dominoes, checkers, scrabble, monopoly, jigsaw puzzle. 4. Reading materials: most people will do more reading than usual while living in a shelter. Example: pocketbooks, novel, factual crossword, riddle, comic books, story books, magazines, and Bible. 5. Religious Activities: under strain, most individuals turn to devine worship. Individual worship: Bible reading, meditation. Group worship: provides for the sharing of a common bond and for the well- being of all. Will be more successful under guidance of minister. 6. Special activities are necessary for the young child because he is out of his normal environment, he has a short interest span, and will be less apt to disturb others when busy. Equipment: Favorite, familiar toys, finger paints, crayons, pencils, paper, dullpointed scissors, modeling clay, blocks, tinker toys, story books, and simple puzzles. The above are only suggestions. The family will plan for personal preference: in carrying out these activities. These suggestions will apply to either individuals, families, or groups.