What to Do to Shelter in Place for a Chemical Emergency

Overview

Some chemical emergencies, such as a train derailment or terrorist attack, may make leaving the area (evacuating) dangerous. It may be safer for you to stay put and seal off the space.

"Stay put and seal off the space" is also called "shelter in place." It means that leaving the area or building during a chemical emergency may place you in danger. It is a way to keep you as safe as possible until the emergency is under control.

You may need to stay put for a few hours, possibly a few days, or longer.

Make a plan

Make a plan to keep you and your loved ones safe. Be sure to practice so everyone knows what to do.

Follow these 5 steps to safely shelter in place during a chemical emergency:

Step 1: Choose a safe room

Choose a safe room that you can seal off from outside air. Choose the best room that:

• Is large and has a source of water
• Is on the highest floor possible

Step 2: Make an emergency plan

Make an emergency plan to stay in contact if you and your loved ones are separated.

• Let a friend or relative outside of your area know where you are.
• You may need to send messages through texts or social media.

Step 3: Make Go Kits

Make Go Kits for your household.

• You may want 2 bags for yourself (one for home and one for your vehicle) and 2 bags for your pet.
• Include a supply of large and small trash bags and several pairs of disposable gloves.

Step 4: Make a pack to seal your space

Make a pack of things to seal windows and doors:

• Duct tape and scissors
• Towels and plastic sheets
• Pre-cut plastic sheets (2-4 mil thick) to fit your windows. (You can cut these ahead of time. Sheet supplies are available at home improvement stores. Label each sheet.)

Step 5: Practice sealing your space

Practice sealing all:

• Window air conditioners
• Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans
• Stove and dryer vents

Shelter in place

If you are home, get inside

• If you are home, go inside and take any pets with you.
• Close and lock all windows and doors.
• Turn off the fan, air conditioner, and furnace. Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your Go Kits and any medications for you and your pets. Take your phone and charger cables with you.
• Go to your safe room, the room you can seal off from outside air, and shut the door. This room should have no or few windows, be as far away as possible from the outside, at the highest point in the building, and have a water source if possible.

Prepare your space

• If you already have the supplies, use duct tape to put plastic sheeting on your windows.
• Close any vents and use duct tape to seal them off.
• Put duct tape around the door to seal the room off from outside air.
• If you have no plastic sheeting supplies, put towels, sheets, or clothing in the vents and under the door.

Protect your pets

• If you have pets, take steps to prepare your space for your pets to safely shelter in place. Remove any plants that might harm your pet.
• Close off any small areas where small pets can hide or get stuck, such as under heavy furniture.

Stay connected

• Turn on the radio or your mobile news app.
• Call or text a friend or relative outside your area to let them know where you are and that you are safe.

Drink safe water

• Use bottled water instead of sink water if you can.
• Toilet tank water is okay to drink if you have no other water source. Toilet bowl water is not okay to drink.

Find a place to shelter 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.

Next steps

• When it is safe to leave your home, you will get the "all clear" from police, fire or other local officials.
• Follow instructions from your police, fire, or other local officials for what to do when you go outside to make sure you stay safe.