Shelter/Shelter-in-Place
Choosing to take shelter is necessary in many emergencies. Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment, or other location when disaster strikes. Sheltering outside the hazard area could include staying with friends and relatives, finding a hotel or staying in a mass care facility operated by disaster relief groups.
To effectively shelter, you must first consider the hazard and then choose a place in your home or other building that is safe for that hazard. For example, for a tornado you should choose a room in a basement or an interior room on the lowest level away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
The safest locations to seek shelter vary by hazard. Be informed about the sheltering suggestions for each hazard. Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the disaster it may be best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside by sheltering in place.
The length of time you are required to shelter may be short, such as during a tornado warning, or long such as during a winter storm or a pandemic. It is important that you stay in shelter until local authorities say it is safe to leave. If needed, take turns listening to radio broadcasts and maintain a 24-hour safety watch. During extended periods of sheltering you will need to manage water and food supplies to make sure you and your family have what you need to get by. Make sure you put together a Disaster Supply Kit today!