|
Taking shelter is often a critical element in protecting yourself and your household in times of disaster. Sheltering can take several forms. In-place sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, place of employment, or other location where you are located when disaster strikes. In-place sheltering may either be short-term, such as going to a safe room for a fairly short period while a tornado warning is in effect or while a chemical cloud passes. It may also be longer-term, as when you stay in your home for several days without electricity or water services following a winter storm. We also use the term "shelter" for Mass Care facilities that provide a place to stay along with food and water to people who evacuate following a disaster.
Short Term Shelter
The appropriate steps to take in preparing for and implementing short-term in-place sheltering depend entirely on the emergency situation. For instance, during a tornado warning you should go to an underground room, if such a room is available. During a chemical release, on the other hand, you should seek shelter in a
room above ground level. Because of these differences, short-term in-place shelter is described in the chapters dealing with specific hazards. See the chapters on "Thunderstorms" and "Hazardous Materials Incidents" for more information. The remainder of this chapter describes steps you should take to prepare for
long-term in-place sheltering and for staying in a mass care shelter if you evacuate.
Long Term Shelter
Long-term in-place sheltering Sometimes disasters make it unsafe for people to leave their residence for extended periods. Winter storms, floods, and landslides may isolate individual households and make it necessary for each household to take
care of its own needs until the disaster abates, such as when snows melt and temperatures rise, or until rescue workers arrive. Your household should be prepared to be self-sufficient for three days when cut off from utilities and from outside supplies of food and water.
- Stay in your shelter until local authorities say it's okay to leave. The length of your stay can range from a few hours to two weeks.
- Maintain a 24-hour communications and safety watch. Take turns listening for radio broadcasts. Watch for fires.
- Assemble an emergency toilet, if necessary.
-
Use a garbage container, pail or bucket with a snug-fitting cover. If the container is small, use a larger container with a cover for waste disposal. Line both containers with plastic bags.
- After each use, pour or sprinkle a small amount of regular household disinfectant, such as chlorine bleach, into the container to reduce odors and germs.
You will be more than satisfied with our service. E Pluribus Unum
|
