The following notes are from a handout that I got from the CERT training program. Copyright CERT, I guess.

Although your first instinct may be to get away as for and as fast as possible from the hazardous materials at an accident, evacuation is not always the safest option.

• Your home or workplace can be a safe haven during a hazardous materials emergency. Up – front be preparations or the key to your safety.
• Shelter in – place simply mean staying put inside your home, workplace, or other building until the emergency passes and all clear signal is given. Local officials especially the fire department or best qualified to recommend protective actions against hazardous materials accidents. Sheltering in – place is the most often your safest option.
• Hazardous materials are all around us at home, work, and school, in industrial and commercial buildings, and on the highways. When properly handled, they pose no help threat. When improperly transported, stored, or used, or when accidentally released, however, there is a potential for devastating damage.
• During an accidental release of hazardous materials, air quality may be threatened. Evacuation may take you through a plume of toxic chemicals, leading to serious, long – term health risks or even death. Sheltering in – place can be a viable alternative which keeps you inside a protected environment.
• Preparedness is the key to surviving any emergency, especially a hazardous materials accident. Toxic releases and, without warning and allow only minutes to respond.
• Shelter in – place preparedness complement your other family emergency preparedness efforts.

Prepare your home before disaster strikes

• Choose a room: the ideal room has few Windows, is large enough to house your whole family or code – workers comfortably, and preferably has access to water. A bathroom was adjourning bath, a large restroom, one employee break room may be good choices.
• Prepare window coverings: when the room is used as a shelter, the Windows must be sealed against any outside air entering. Measure all window openings in the room, and then add a generous six inches on all sides of each window measurement. Don’t forget the skylights. Cut plastic sheeting according to the measurements. Label each sheet to show which window it covers. Start enough roles of duct tape to go around all windows completely.
• Prepare event and door coverings: just as you did for the Windows, measure each air vent, door, and any other openings leading outside the room. Cut and label plastic sheeting for each opening. Storing multiple roles of tape allows more than one person to work at the time.
• Assemble shelter in – place supplies: your supplies should be stored in the chosen shelter room. Put in plastic sheets, duct tape, and other recommend the supplies (see list on reverse) to gather into one container. And under – the – bad box works well, or use a container that files on the closet shelf or a cabinet.

Sheltering in – place supplies:

• Cut and label plastic sheeting for each window, door, air vent, or other opening (see reverse for prepare a should instructions)
• Multiple rolls of duct tape for saving plastic sheeting (allows more than one person to work at the same time)
• Towel for under the door to seal against outside air. Battery – powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, battery – powered or cellular phone if no phone in the room)
• Snack foods, and uses or other drinks, pet foods.
• Games and books to pass the time

Sheltering in – place procedures

• Stay inside an enclosed building, such as your home or workplace. If possible bring your pets inside. Do not risk your safety for your pet.
• Close and lock all the windows and doors to the outside. Close Jason shades over all windows. Put wet tales under the doors to keep the seal against outside air.
• Turn off heating – air conditioning systems, and switch inlets or events to the closed position. Close all fireplace dampeners.
• Use tape and pre-– cut and label plastic sheeting to seal around doors and windows, heating vents, skylights or any opening which could let air in (in shelter room only).
• Seal bathroom exhaust fans or grills, range vents, dryer vents, or other openings in shelter room only) while sheltering in place, stay away from Windows.
• If there is no phone in your designated shelter room, bring along a battery – operating or cellular phone. Listen to the emergency alert system radio messages and follow the message instructions. The primary alerting station with the Portland is KUFO (101.1 FM); KXL 750 am). I have done the one for Utah yet. Other local radio stations may also carry the news story.
• Do not go outside attempt to drive unless you specifically told to do so. Evacuation procedures may vary by community.
• Once the emergency has passed, ventilate the entire house to remove any residual which will hazardous fumes.

Shelter in place no nose:

• Do not call the school or try to pick up the children. They will be safe for sheltering in place at school and they would be riding in your vehicle.
• Do not leave your shelter until the all-clear signal is sounded.
• Do not wish your saving for your pets. They can’t be found within a minute or two; you have to shelter in place without them.
• Do not wait until disaster strikes to prepare. It’s never too early!