During an emergency, local elected officials or representatives of emergency management or law enforcement agencies may advise you and your family to take shelter (shelter in place), evacuate, or take other protective actions.
If you are advised to take shelter (shelter in place) during an emergency:
- Stay indoors in your home, work place, or nearby building. Do not leave unless you are advised to evacuate or an official declares the area safe.
- Close all windows, doors, and fireplace dampers to keep air from entering your home or building.
- Turn off any heating or cooling systems that draw air from the outside. If it becomes stuffy, use portable or ceiling fans to circulate air inside.
- If you have been outside during the period just before you were advised to take shelter, take a shower or at least wash your face and hands using a washcloth with soap and water. If you are able, change into clean clothes and place the clothing you were wearing and the washcloth into a plastic bag.
- Keep your TV or radio tuned to local news outlets.
- Begin to assemble items you may need in case you are advised to evacuate.
- If you must go outdoors, cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth to avoid inhaling any hazardous materials that might be present.
If you have children at school:
- Law enforcement and emergency management officials will work closely with schools that are in a shelter-in-place or evacuation zones.
- School children and personnel who are told to evacuate should follow instructions from local law enforcement and emergency management officials. Parents should stay tuned to local news reports for information on whether they should stay away from the school or can pick up their child from the school.
