Shelter In Place
What Shelter-in-Place Means:
One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. It does not mean sealing off your entire home or office building. If you are told to shelter-in-place, follow the instructions provided in this Fact Sheet.
Why You Might Need to Shelter-in-Place: Chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants may be released accidentally or intentionally into the environment. Should this occur, information will be provided by local authorities on television and radio stations on how to protect you and your family. Because information will most likely be provided on television and radio, it is important to keep a TV or radio on, even during the workday. The important thing is for you to follow instructions of local authorities and know what to do if they advise you to shelter-in-place.
How to Shelter-in-Place
At Home:
Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems.
Close the fireplace damper.
Get your family disaster supplies kit and make sure the radio is working.
Go to an interior room without windows that’s above ground level. In the case of a chemical threat, an above-ground location is preferable because some chemicals are heavier than air, and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed.
Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
At Work:
Close the business.
Close the business.Bring everyone into the room(s). Shut and lock the door(s).
Bring everyone into the room(s). Shut and lock the door(s).If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
If there are customers, clients, or visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
Unless there is an imminent threat, ask employees, customers, clients, and visitors to call their emergency contact to let them know where they are and that they are safe.Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.
Turn on call-forwarding or alternative telephone answering systems or services. If the business has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the business is closed, and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise it is safe to leave.Close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
Close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.
If you are told there is danger of explosion, close the window shades, blinds, or curtains.Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.
Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Large storage closets, utility rooms, pantries, copy and conference rooms without exterior windows will work well. Avoid selecting a room with mechanical equipment like ventilation blowers or pipes, because this equipment may not be able to be sealed from the outdoors.It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer.)
Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your business’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you, and their affiliation with your business (employee, visitor, client, customer.)Keep listening to the radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
Keep listening to the radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.At School:
Close the school. Activate the school’s emergency plan. Follow reverse evacuation procedures to bring students, faculty, and staff indoors.
Close the school. Activate the school’s emergency plan. Follow reverse evacuation procedures to bring students, faculty, and staff indoors.If there are visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.
If there are visitors in the building, provide for their safety by asking them to stay – not leave. When authorities provide directions to shelter-in-place, they want everyone to take those steps now, where they are, and not drive or walk outdoors.Provide for answering telephone inquiries from concerned parents by having at least one telephone with the school’s listed telephone number available in the room selected to provide shelter for the school secretary, or person designated to answer these calls. This room should also be sealed. There should be a way to communicate among all rooms where people are sheltering-in-place in the school.
Provide for answering telephone inquiries from concerned parents by having at least one telephone with the school’s listed telephone number available in the room selected to provide shelter for the school secretary, or person designated to answer these calls. This room should also be sealed. There should be a way to communicate among all rooms where people are sheltering-in-place in the school.Ideally, provide for a way to make announcements over the school-wide public address system from the room where the top school official takes shelter.
Ideally, provide for a way to make announcements over the school-wide public address system from the room where the top school official takes shelter.If children have cell phones, allow them to use them to call a parent or guardian to let them know that they have been asked to remain in school until further notice, and that they are safe.
If children have cell phones, allow them to use them to call a parent or guardian to let them know that they have been asked to remain in school until further notice, and that they are safe.If the school has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the school is closed, students and staff are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.
If the school has voice mail or an automated attendant, change the recording to indicate that the school is closed, students and staff are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.Provide directions to close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.
Provide directions to close and lock all windows, exterior doors, and any other openings to the outside.If you are told there is danger of explosion, direct that window shades, blinds, or curtains be closed.
If you are told there is danger of explosion, direct that window shades, blinds, or curtains be closed.Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.
Have employees familiar with your building’s mechanical systems turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Some systems automatically provide for exchange of inside air with outside air – these systems, in particular, need to be turned off, sealed, or disabled.Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.
Gather essential disaster supplies, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and plastic garbage bags.Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Classrooms may be used if there are no windows or the windows are sealed and can not be opened. Large storage closets, utility rooms, meeting rooms, and even a gymnasium without exterior windows will also work well.
Select interior room(s) above the ground floor, with the fewest windows or vents. The room(s) should have adequate space for everyone to be able to sit in. Avoid overcrowding by selecting several rooms if necessary. Classrooms may be used if there are no windows or the windows are sealed and can not be opened. Large storage closets, utility rooms, meeting rooms, and even a gymnasium without exterior windows will also work well.It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.
It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room(s) you select. Call emergency contacts and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Cellular telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.Bring everyone into the room. Shut and lock the door.
Bring everyone into the room. Shut and lock the door.Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.
Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door(s) and any vents into the room.Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your schools’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you.
Write down the names of everyone in the room, and call your schools’ designated emergency contact to report who is in the room with you.Listen for an official announcement from school officials via the public address system, and stay where you are until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
Listen for an official announcement from school officials via the public address system, and stay where you are until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.In Your Vehicle:
If you are driving a vehicle and hear advice to “shelter-in-place” on the radio, take these steps:
If you are very close to home, your office, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the shelter-in-place recommendations for the place you pick described above.
If you are very close to home, your office, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the shelter-in-place recommendations for the place you pick described above.If you are unable to get to a home or building quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot, to avoid being overheated.
If you are unable to get to a home or building quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot, to avoid being overheated.Turn off the engine. ? Close windows and vents.
Turn off the engine. ? Close windows and vents.If possible, seal the heating/air conditioning vents with duct tape.
If possible, seal the heating/air conditioning vents with duct tape.Listen to the radio regularly for updated advice and instructions.
Listen to the radio regularly for updated advice and instructions.Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Be aware that some roads may be closed or traffic detoured. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.
Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Be aware that some roads may be closed or traffic detoured. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.Local officials on the scene are the best source of information for your particular situation. Following their instructions during and after emergencies regarding sheltering, food, water, and clean up methods is your safest choice.
Remember that instructions to shelter-in-place are usually provided for durations of a few hours, not days or weeks. There is little danger that the room in which you are taking shelter will run out of oxygen and you will suffocate.
Get a Survival Kit
Be Prepared for an Emergency. Be Red Cross Ready!
Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.
At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:
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•Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)•Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)•Flashlight
Flashlight•Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)•Extra batteries
Extra batteries•First aid kit – Anatomy of a First Aid Kit
First aid kit – Anatomy of a First Aid Kit•Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items•Multi-purpose tool
Multi-purpose tool•Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Sanitation and personal hygiene items•Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)•Cell phone with chargers
Cell phone with chargers•Family and emergency contact information
Family and emergency contact information•Extra cash
Extra cash•Emergency blanket
Emergency blanket•Map(s) of the area
Map(s) of the areaConsider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:
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•Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)
Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)•Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)•Games and activities for children
Games and activities for children•Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)•Two-way radios
Two-way radios•Extra set of car keys and house keys
Extra set of car keys and house keys•Manual can opener
Manual can openerAdditional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:
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•Whistle
Whistle•N95 or surgical masks
N95 or surgical masks•Matches
Matches•Rain gear
Rain gear•Towels
Towels•Work gloves
Work gloves•Tools/supplies for securing your home
Tools/supplies for securing your home•Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes•Plastic sheeting
Plastic sheeting•Duct tape
Duct tape•Scissors
Scissors•Household liquid bleach
Household liquid bleach•Entertainment items
Entertainment items•Blankets or sleeping bags
Blankets or sleeping bagsAnatomy of a First Aid Kit
A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies:
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•Keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car.
Keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. •Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one.
Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one. •Find out the location of first aid kits where you work.
Find out the location of first aid kits where you work. First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can purchase one from the Red Cross Store or your local American Red Cross chapter. Your local drug store may sell them. You can also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boating.
Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need:
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•Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest.
Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care provider may suggest. •Check the kit regularly.
Check the kit regularly. •Make sure the flashlight batteries work.
Make sure the flashlight batteries work. •Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.
Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents.The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:
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•2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)•25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)•1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)•5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)•5 antiseptic wipe packets
5 antiseptic wipe packets•2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)•1 blanket (space blanket)
1 blanket (space blanket)•1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)•1 instant cold compress
1 instant cold compress•2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)•2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)•Scissors
Scissors•1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)•1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)•5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)•5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)•Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)
Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass)•2 triangular bandages
2 triangular bandages•Tweezers
Tweezers•First aid instruction booklet
First aid instruction booklet