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Although
your first instinct may be to get away as far and as fast as
possible: from a hazardous materials accident, evacuation is
not always the safest option.
Your
home or workplace can be a safe haven during a hazardous materials
emergency. Upfront preparations are the key to your safety.
- "Sheltering
In-Place" simply means staying put inside your home, workplace,
or other building until the emergency passes and the "all clear" signal
is given. Local officials, especially the fire department,
are best qualified to recommend protective actions against
hazardous materials accidents. Sheltering in-place is most
often your safest option.
- Hazardous
materials are all around us at home, work, and school, in industrial
and commercial buildings, and on the highways. When properly
handled, they pose no health threat. When improperly transported,
stored, or used, or when accidentally released, however, there
is a potential for devastating damage.
- During an
accidental release of hazardous materials, air quality may
be threatened. Evacuation may take you through a plume of toxic
chemicals, leading to serious, long-term health risks or even
death. Sheltering in-place can be a viable alternative which
keeps you inside a protected environment.
- Preparedness
is the key to surviving any emergency, especially a hazardous
materials accident. Toxic releases can come without warning
and allow only minutes to respond.
- Shelter in-place
preparations complement your other family emergency preparedness
efforts.
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PREPARE
YOUR HOME BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES
Choose a room: The
ideal room has few windows, is large enough to house your whole
family or coworkers comfortably, and preferably has access to
water. A bedroom with adjoining bath, a large restroom, or an
employee break room may be good choices.
Prepare window
coverings: When the room is used as a shelter, the windows
must be sealed against any outside air entering. Measure all
window openings in the room, then add a generous six inches
on all sides of each window measurement. Don't forget the skylights.
Cut plastic sheeting according to the measurements. Label each
sheet to show which window it covers. Store enough rolls of
duct tape to go around all the windows completely
Prepare vent
and door coverings: Just as you did for the windows, measure
each air vent door, and any other openings leading outside
the room. Cut and label plastic sheeting for each opening.
Storing multiple rolls of tape allows more than one person
to work at a time.
Assemble shelter
in-place supplies: Your supplies should be stored in the
chosen shelter room. Put the plastic sheets, duct tape, and
other recommended supplies [see list below] together in one
container. An under-the-bed box works well, or use a container
that fits on a closet shelf or in a cabinet.
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SHELTERING
IN-PLACE SUPPLIES
-
Cut and
labeled plastic sheeting for each window, door,
air vent or other opening [See above for preparation instructions]
-
Multiple
rolls of duct tape for sealing plastic sheeting [allows more
than one person to work at the same time]
-
Towel for
under the door to seal against outside air
-
Battery-powered
radio, flashlight, and extra batteries, battery-powered or
cellular phone [if no phone in room]
-
Snack foods,
canned juices or other drinks, pet foods
-
Games and
books to pass the time
SHELTERING
IN-PLACE PROCEDURES
- Stay inside
an enclosed building, such as your home or workplace. If possible,
bring your pets inside. Do not risk your safety for your pet.
- Close and
lock all windows and doors to the outside. Close drapes or
shades over all windows. Push wet towels under the doors to
help seal against outside air.
- Turn off heating/air
conditioning systems, and switch inlets or vents to the "closed" position.
Close all fireplace dampers.
- Use tape and
precut and labeled plastic sheeting to seal around doors and
windows, heating vents, skylights, or any opening which could
let air in [in shelter room only].
- Seal bathroom
exhaust fans or grills, range vents, dryer vents, and other
openings [in shelter room only].
- While sheltering
in-place, stay away from windows.
- If there is
no phone in your designated shelter room, bring along a battery-operated
or cellular phone.
- Listen to
the Emergency Alert System radio messages and follow the message
instructions.
- Do not go
outside or attempt to drive unless you are specifically told
to do so. Evacuation procedures may vary by community.
- Once the emergency
has passed, ventilate your entire house to remove any residual
hazardous fumes.
SHELTER
IN-PLACE "NO-NOs"
-
Call the
school or try to pick up your children - they will be safer
sheltering in-place at school than they would be riding
in your vehicle.
-
Leave
your shelter until the "all clear" signal
is sounded.
-
Risk your
safety for your pets. If they can't be found within a minute
or two, you'll have to shelter in-place without them.
-
Wait until
the disaster strikes to prepare. It's never too early.
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 Wayne County
Emergency Management Division
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