What to know
- Make a plan to keep you, your loved ones, and your pets safe if you need to evacuate from your home.
- Listen to the radio, television, mobile news app, or text alerts to know when to evacuate and where to go.
Overview
Some chemical emergencies, like a train derailment or terrorist attack, may make staying put and sealing off your space (sheltering-in-place) dangerous. It may be safer for you to leave the area of danger (evacuate).
"Evacuate" means to get away from danger. It means the area or building is not safe for you stay in during a chemical emergency. You must leave and go to a shelter or other place outside of the area. This is so you can stay as safe as possible until the emergency is under control.
You may need to evacuate for a few hours, possibly a few days, or longer.
Stay informed
In the event of a chemical emergency, listen to the radio, television, mobile alerts, or your mobile news app to get up-to-date information.
Follow any instructions from the police, fire, or other local officials.
Make a plan
Make a plan to keep you and your loved ones safe if you need to evacuate from your home.
Follow these 6 steps to keep you and your loved ones safe:
- Plan how you would leave and where you would go to get away from the chemical release. Think of several different routes in case one is blocked.
- Follow the instructions of your police, fire, or other local officials. They will identify local shelters and give directions.
- Find a place that will take pets but also have a plan to leave a pet with someone else if needed.
- Make an emergency plan to stay in contact if you and your children or loved ones are separated. You may need to send messages through texts or social media.
- Practice so everyone knows what to do.
- Make Go Kits for your family, including any pets. You may want 2 bags – one for home and one for your car, truck, or other vehicle.
Go Kits
A Go Kit contains basic supplies and important papers you may need if you evacuate. Here are some examples of what you might bring:
- Personal needs, such as nonperishable food and water (at least one gallon per person or pet per day)
- Prescription and non-prescription medications
- Power sources such as batteries and flashlights
- Important paperwork
Build a Go Kit for your pet
Evacuate
If you are home
- If you are told to go to a shelter, follow the directions to the shelter.
- Check with neighbors to see if they need a ride if you have your own vehicle.
- Call or text a friend or relative outside your area to let them know where you are going and that you are safe. Local cell phone networks may not be working.
- Leave a note in your home saying where you are going.
- Wear clothing that provides some protection, such as long pants, long sleeves, and closed shoes.
- Bring your Go Kit.
- Bring any medications you will need for up to a week.
- Bring your pets and their Go Kits. If you leave your pets behind, they may be lost, injured, or worse.
The shelter will have most of the other supplies you will need.
Evacuating with pets
Be aware some shelters, such as those of the American Red Cross, take only service animals. Local emergency services may have information on other area shelters that take pets. Local animal shelters or your veterinarian may offer advice on what do with your pets if you must evacuate and cannot take them with you. Never leave a pet chained outdoors.
Learn more- Pets: What to Do During a Chemical Emergency
If you are not home
If you are outside, cars, trucks, or other vehicles may not be airtight enough to protect you.
- Listen to the radio, your mobile news app, or check your phone for messages to find the nearest shelter and go there.
- Follow instructions from your police, fire, or other local officials.
If you are separated from loved ones
- Do not go to your children, loved ones, or pets unless police, fire, or other local officials says it is safe. They may be sheltered where they are.
- Use your emergency plan to stay in contact if you and your loved ones are separated. You may need to relay messages through texts or other social media.
- Contact your buddy or trusted neighbor so they can take care of your pet until it is safe for you to return home.
Going back home
- When it is safe to return home, you will receive the "all clear" from your police, fire or other local officials.
- Follow instructions from your police, fire, or other local officials for what to do once you return home to make sure you stay safe.