> CERN > Shelter in Place > Shelter in Place
Taking Shelter
Frequently during
disasters, people are asked to
evacuate their homes to seek
safety in
a shelter or another community.
However, there are times when
the safest
thing to do is to stay where
you are - indoors. This is
especially true
for any disaster involving
hazardous chemicals. A hazardous
chemical
could be a solid, liquid or
gas. You may not be able to see or
smell
anything, yet it can still be quite
dangerous.
YOU NEED TO THINK OF THIS AS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO-DO LIST YOU WILL EVER TAKE ON. Officials tell us that in the event of a disaster we need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 3 to 5 days, ideally 14 days. We hope none of us ever has to face a major hurricane, flood or terrorist attack. BUT just in case, it's our responsibility to be ready. Remember it will be easy to do these things now. It will be almost impossible after the fact.
In the event of such an emergency, local officials will advise you to "shelter in place." This means you should remain inside your home or office or wherever you are and protect yourself there.
- Close garage
doors in attached garages. Close
any exterior doors.
- Close and lock
all windows and interior
doors.
- Turn off all
fans, heating and air conditioning
systems.
- Close the fireplace
damper.
- Get your disaster
supplies kit, and make sure the
radio is working.
- Go
to an interior
room without windows that's above
ground level. In 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. Using duct tape, seal
all cracks around the door and
any
vents into the room.
- Continue 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 greater risk in your
community.
YOU NEED TO THINK OF THIS AS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO-DO LIST YOU WILL EVER TAKE ON. Officials tell us that in the event of a disaster we need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 3 to 5 days, ideally 14 days. We hope none of us ever has to face a major hurricane, flood or terrorist attack. BUT just in case, it's our responsibility to be ready. Remember it will be easy to do these things now. It will be almost impossible after the fact.
Laminated copies of this list are located in area libraries.
Be sure to include your pets in your disaster plan. Many emergency shelters and hotels will not accept animals. Prepare ahead of time and have a place for your animals during emergencies.For more information
on Sheltering in Place:
Preparation-
The Best Defense Against Severe Storms and
Tornadoes (FEMA.gov)
Release Date: June
5, 2008
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
Active or not, history has shown that it
only takes one hurricane to cause loss
of life, billions of dollars of damage and
years of recovery.
Whether it’s one storm or three, being prepared is better than the alternative. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, emergency managers are encouraging residents to prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days and maybe for up to two weeks.
NOW is the time to evaluate and update your family preparedness plan and supplies. Are the batteries fresh? Are cell phone numbers and email addresses current? Review or take a class in first aid or disaster response.
Planning can make a difference not only in your life but in the lives around you.
Check out these safety tips:
Whether it’s one storm or three, being prepared is better than the alternative. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, emergency managers are encouraging residents to prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days and maybe for up to two weeks.
NOW is the time to evaluate and update your family preparedness plan and supplies. Are the batteries fresh? Are cell phone numbers and email addresses current? Review or take a class in first aid or disaster response.
Planning can make a difference not only in your life but in the lives around you.
Check out these safety tips:
BEFORE THE STORM
- If you live in a flood-prone area,
identify where to go if you are
told to evacuate and the safest
route to get there. If there is a
flood, you may only have minutes to
get to safety. Choose several
places
-
a friend's home in another town, a
motel or a shelter. Remember,
public shelters and many motels
don't allow pets in their
facilities.
- Get ready for a possible power
outage by gathering a minimum
one-week
supply of foods that don't require
refrigeration or cooking,
such as canned goods, as well as
bottled water, flashlights with
extra batteries, a first-aid kit
and battery-powered radio. If you
need to
evacuate, make sure you can
consolidate these items into a portable
'go' kit,
like a backpack or duffel bag.
- Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio for
National Weather Service reports
and severe weather warnings.
- Cut dead trees and limbs that
could fall on your home.
- If your home or business is in
a flood-prone area, make sure
you
have a current flood insurance policy
(not typically part of a
standard
insurance policy). A 30-day
waiting period is generally required
to
purchase flood insurance, so take
time now to visit your
insurance
agent to learn more.
- Take pictures of your property before the storm to help validate your claim and remember to take your policies with you if you need to evacuate.
WHEN A HURRICANE IS APPROACHING
- Listen to your local radio and TV stations
for updated storm information.
A hurricane or flood watch means
possible danger. If the danger
increases, a hurricane or flood
warning will be issued.
- If you have space in your
refrigerator or freezer, consider
filling
plastic containers with water,
leaving about an inch of space
inside
each one. (Remember, water
expands as it freezes, so it is
important
to leave room in the container
for the expanded water.) Place
the
containers in the refrigerator and
freezer. This chilled or frozen
water will
help keep food cold for several
hours if the power goes out.
- Fill your bathtub with water
to use for toilet flushing in
case water
services are unavailable
following the storm.
- Bring in garbage cans, lawn
furniture and other items that
could
blow away.
- Fill your car's gas tank. Functional gas stations will be in short supply in a power outage.
IF HEAVY RAINS OCCUR
- Be aware that floods are deceptive. Avoid
already-flooded areas.
Floodwaters
that are above your knees are
dangerous. Turn around and go back
to
higher ground.
- If you find floodwaters on the
road while driving, turn around
and
find an alternate route. The road
could be washed out and rapidly
rising
water could lift your car and
carry it away.
AFTER THE STORM
- Listen to your local radio stations for
official disaster relief
information
and instructions.
- Prepare to be without power,
telephone or any outside
services for
a week or more.
- Watch out for downed power
lines, weakened structures,
rodents and
snakes, and avoid standing
water.
- Avoid drinking tap water
unless officials say it is safe to
do so.
Eat only foods you are
absolutely sure are safe.
- Be extra careful when
handling power tools, gas lanterns and
matches.
- Operate generators outdoors
only in a well-ventilated, dry
area, away
from air intakes to the home.
Never use a generator indoors or
in attached
garages. Poor ventilation can
result in carbon monoxide
poisoning or
death.
- Avoid using candles as a light source. Deadly fires can result.
Visit www.ready.gov.