Emergency officials may instruct you to go or remain indoors during a hazardous materials spill, which reduces the amount of air moving into and out of a building until the hazard passes.
Quick tips for sheltering in place
Before you’re ready to shelter in place
There are a number of steps you need to take before you’ll be able to shelter in place.
Learn how to prepare to shelter in place
What to do during a shelter-in-place emergency
- Go inside immediately and bring pets
- Close all doors and windows
- Shut down furnace, air conditioner, exhaust fans, and vents
- Close fireplace dampers
- Go inside your shelter-in-place room and get your shelter-in-place kit
- Seal any doors, windows, and vents with plastic sheeting and tape
- Place wet towels at base of door(s)
- Monitor media — radio, TV, cell phone, social media — for updates
- Remain in the room until emergency officials say it is safe to leave
- If you must travel outside, cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel
What to do after a shelter-in-place emergency
When the “All Clear” message is issued by an emergency broadcast or news alert:
- everyone can leave the room
- open all doors to ventilate
- replenish and re-stow shelter-in-place kit in its designated location
Stay informed
During an emergency, you will want to ensure you are sourcing information and receiving direction from official sources:
