Emergencies happen. You need a plan…
Shelter in Place
What does shelter in place mean?
Shelter in place is not the same as “staying inside” a building. Sheltering in place is creating a “safe room” in your home. A true shelter-in-place order is because of a chemical, biological or radiological threat. If a chemical agent leak happens (i.e. ammonia, radiation, hazardous materials), authorities will instruct people to either shelter where they are and seal the premises (shelter in place) or evacuate immediately. A chemical release is an accidental release of harmful chemicals into the air.
Before an Incident
To properly shelter-in-place you will need to prepare a “safe room” in advance. You will likely need to stay inside several hours, but not several days, so choose a room and stock supplies to get you through the time. A good example of this includes a master bedroom with an attached bathroom to give you access to a toilet and running water or a bathroom. If you live near industrial areas or are within 2,000 feet of a major highway or train tracks that carry industrial materials, you are in an area that may be prone to chemical leaks.
Preparing your Safe Room
Purchase plastic sheeting and duct tape. Pre-cut the plastic to fit all windows, vents, and doors of this room, and label each piece. Create a box or container for your safe room to hold the pre-cut plastic, tape and these additional supplies:
• A battery-powered AM / FM radio (power may be out) with extra batteries
• Water and snacks
• Some towels and blankets (if this is another room than the bedroom)