The term, Shelter-In Place, means to seek immediate shelter and remain there during a chemical emergency, terrorist event or natural disaster rather than evacuate the area. Unless instructed to evacuate by emergency personnel, sheltering in a pre-determined safe location in your home or place of work is the preferred method of safely waiting out a hazardous materials release. In place sheltering usually lasts no more than one-to-two hours and preparations, made in advance, can ensure that the event is as comfortable as possible.

If you are asked to Shelter-In-Place and are

Outdoors

• Remain Calm.
• Go inside immediately. Go to an interior room without windows, if possible.
• Do not call 911 unless you are reporting an immediate life-threatening situation.
• Do not attempt to get your children from their school or day care center. Staff members are trained to protect your children and will institute shelter-in-place procedures where they are located.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Place pre-cut plastic sheeting over windows, and tape in place.
• Close all outside air vents.
• Turn off cooling, heating or ventilating systems.
• Cover cracks under doors with damp towels.
• If you have a fireplace, put out the fire and close the damper.
• Tape cracks and other openings such as electrical outlets and cable television outlets for extra protections.
• Keep pets indoors.
• Listen carefully to a portable radio for instructions from emergency officials.

• Remain Calm.
• Shelter-in-Place
• Do not start the engine!
• Close windows, vents and turn off air conditioner/heater.
• Turn on your radio and listen for further instructions.
• Do not start your engine.
  

Driving in a Car

• Remain Calm.
• Continue driving unless directed otherwise by emergency personnel or traffic controls.
• Close windows, vents and turn off air conditioner/heater.
• Turn on your radio and listen for further instructions.
• If your vehicle stalls, do not restart the engine.
• Shelter-in-Place

Shelter-In-Place Emergency Kit

It is suggested that you put the following items in a storage bin or cardboard box and place it in a pre-selected room in your house where it can be easily reached. This room should be one that can be easily sealed incase of a chemical emergency.

• Roll of plastic sheeting.
  • Precut to fit any windows in the room.
    
• Roll of duct tape.
  
• Bath towels to place under any opening in doorways
  • Dampen towels first.
    
• Battery-operated radio.
  • Have extra batteries.
  • Tune radio to local Emergency Alert Station (EAS).
    • KFBK 1530 AM
    • KRAK 1140 AM
    • KCTC 1330 AM
    • KK105 105.1 FM
• Bottled water
  
• Non-perishable food items.
  • Candy Bars.
  • Snack Bars.
  • Dried Fruit
    
• Infant supplies.
  
• Entertainment Items.
  • Books.
  • Coloring Books with crayons.
  • Games.