🏠 Shelter-in-Place Basics
When: Chemical release, nuclear incident, severe weather, active threatGeneral steps:
- Get inside immediately
- Close all windows, doors, fireplace dampers
- Turn off fans, AC, heating that pulls outside air
- Go to interior room (fewer windows better)
- Listen to radio/TV for official all-clear
⚠ Threat-Specific Sheltering
Chemical/Biological:- Go to highest floor (chemicals heavier than air)
- Seal room with plastic sheeting + duct tape
- Cover door cracks with wet towels
- Turn off all ventilation
Tornado:
- Lowest floor, interior room (closet, bathroom)
- Under stairs or sturdy furniture
- Cover with mattress or blankets
- Protect head and neck
Nuclear/Radiological:
- Go to center of building, underground if possible
- Stay 24+ hours unless told otherwise
- If outside during event: remove outer clothing, shower
🔧 How to Turn Off Utilities
Gas (smell gas or after earthquake):- Locate meter (usually outside)
- Turn valve 1/4 turn with wrench (perpendicular to pipe)
- Do NOT turn back on yourself - call utility
Water (broken pipe, flooding):
- Find main shut-off (near water meter or where pipe enters)
- Turn clockwise to close
Electricity (flooding, fire, damage):
- Main breaker in electrical panel
- Flip main switch to OFF
- If wet: do NOT touch - call utility
👶 Infants & Young Children
Emergency Kit Additions:- Formula/breast milk storage, bottles
- Diapers, wipes, diaper cream
- Comfort items (blanket, pacifier, toy)
- Baby food, medications
Infant First Aid:
- CPR: 30 compressions (2 fingers), 2 breaths
- Choking: back blows + chest thrusts
- Fever: call doctor if under 3 months
Children's Stress:
- Keep routines, stay calm
- Limit news exposure
- Reassure: you are safe, adults are helping
- ID bracelet with emergency contact
👴 Elderly Considerations
Evacuation:- Extra time needed, plan assistance
- Mobility aids (cane, walker, wheelchair)
- Medications - 2 week supply minimum
- Medical records, doctor contact info
- Glasses, hearing aids, dentures
Watch for:
- Heat/cold sensitivity
- Dehydration (may not feel thirsty)
- Confusion (could indicate medical issue)
- Falls - clear obstacles
♿ Mobility Impaired
Planning:- Know accessible evacuation routes
- Identify helpers in advance
- Keep mobility equipment charged/maintained
- Have backup power for powered equipment
Wheelchair users:
- Evacuation chair for stairs if needed
- Heavy gloves if self-propelling over debris
- Repair kit for wheelchair
👁 Blind/Low Vision
Preparation:- Keep emergency supplies in consistent location
- Braille/large print emergency info
- Extra cane
- Service animal supplies
If helping:
- Offer your elbow, walk half-step ahead
- Describe surroundings and hazards
- Place hand on door handle or chair
👂 Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Alert alternatives:- Vibrating alarm, flashing strobe
- Weather alert radio with visual alerts
- Text alerts (Wireless Emergency Alerts)
Communication:
- Written notes, text messaging
- Gestures, pointing
- Extra hearing aid batteries
💉 Medical Conditions
Medication-Dependent:- 2 week supply minimum
- Know generic names
- Keep pharmacy, doctor numbers
- Carry medication list
Dialysis Patients:
- Know multiple dialysis centers
- Contact center before evacuating
- Keep diet restrictions in emergency food
Oxygen-Dependent:
- Backup oxygen supply
- Battery-powered concentrator
- Notify utility company (priority restoration)
Pregnancy:
- Emergency: bleeding, contractions, water breaking
- Keep prenatal records accessible
- Know hospital route alternatives
🐕 Pets
Pet Emergency Kit:- Food/water for 3+ days, bowls
- Medications, vaccination records
- Carrier/crate, leash, collar with ID
- Photo of you with pet (proof of ownership)
- Sanitation: litter, bags, newspaper
Evacuation:
- Never leave pets behind
- Know pet-friendly shelters/hotels
- Have friend/family backup for pet
Service Animals:
- Always allowed in shelters
- Bring documentation
- Food, water, service animal supplies
🐄 Livestock
- Plan evacuation routes with trailers- ID all animals (tags, brands, photos)
- Destination arrangements in advance
- If can't evacuate: shelter in place with food/water
- Open gates if must leave (let animals self-rescue)
📞 Resources
- 211 - Local shelter locations- Red Cross Shelter Finder
- FEMA 1-800-621-3362 (no immigration check)
- Pet-friendly shelters: call ahead or check RedCross.org