Shelter in Place

"Shelter-In-Place" refers to remaining inside your home, school, or places of work during certain types of emergencies. It can be your safest option in hazardous material emergencies. Sheltering-in-Place is an effective tool in Canada as most buildings and structures are built and sealed to withstand winter conditions.

Public Notification:

Based on the circumstances, Emergency Officials will let residents know if Sheltering-in-Place is appropriate, or if an evacuation is required. They will provide this information through local television, radio, by telephone or by door to door notification.

Instructions for Shelter-in-Place

Shelter-In-Place preparations can and should be part of your family Emergency Plan. When advised by emergency officials to Shelter-in-Place, all persons should take the following precautions:

• Go indoors immediately and stay there.
• Use stairwells instead of elevators wherever possible.
• Close all windows and doors.
• Turn off all furnaces, hot water heaters, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
• Do not operate kitchen vents, bathroom vents or the clothes dryer or anything else that would allow outside air to enter your home.
• Do not use fireplaces - close all dampers.
• Choose an inside room as a “Safe-Room”, preferably away from exterior windows and doors.
• Seal cracks or openings around the “Safe-Room” doorway with wide tape and a rolled up damp towel at the base of the door.
• If there is a window, tape a plastic sheet over the window to seal it.
• Use telephones only if immediate emergency assistance is required.
• Stay tuned to local radio or television station for information updates.
• Wait for the “all-clear” announcement.

Family Emergency Kit

You should add the following supplies to your family emergency kit:

• Plastic sheeting - to seal windows, vents and doors.
• Duct tape - rolls of duct tape to be used to secure the plastic over windows/vents and to seal doors. (Be aware that duct tape may damage finish.)
• Battery operated radio with fresh batteries. In the event of a power outage, a battery operated radio is necessary to hear emergency announcements including the "all clear" when the emergency is over.
• Flashlight with fresh batteries.
• Enough towels to block the bottoms of each door in the room.
• Bottled water for drinking.
• Snack foods, and pet food.
• First aid kit.
• Garbage bags can be used for storage of refuse or even as a "bathroom".
• Board games or cards.

“Safe-Room” Specifications

Choose a room in your home that you designate a "Safe-Room". Since many hazardous materials are heavier than air, a “Safe-Room” should be above ground level, not in a basement. It should have:

• No or few windows.
• A telephone. If a regular telephone is not available, bring a cellular telephone for emergency use.
• Enough room for everyone who needs to shelter.
• Access to water if possible. A room with an adjoining bath is an excellent choice.
• If possible, try to store your emergency kit in the room, in an under-the-bed box or a container that fits in a closet shelf or in a cabinet.

“All Clear” Announcement

While Sheltering-in-Place, persons should stay tuned to a radio or television for information updates and wait for further instructions from local emergency officials.

• Emergency officials may come door to door or provide information through local radio stations.
• An “all clear” announcement will only be made once the danger has passed.
• Persons may also receive instructions to ventilate their homes or properties by completing the following:
• Open all windows and doors.
• Turn on all furnaces, hot water heaters, ventilation, air conditioning systems.
• As outdoor air may be fresher, occupants may wish to remain outside as your home     or property is ventilating.
• Once the home or property is completely ventilated, all systems can be returned to     their normal settings.
• Emergency officials will continue to monitor events after the danger has passed and provide information to persons in affected areas.
• Everyone should be aware of the possibility that the danger may return and emergency officials may direct them to Shelter-in-Place again.
• Emergency officials may also issue an “Evacuation Alert” or an “Evacuation Order”. It is therefore important for everyone to remain vigilant and to follow all instructions.