DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

TIPS ON SHELTER LIVINGDURING OR AFTER AN EMERGENCYTaking shelter during a disaster could mean you have to be somewhere forseveral hours, days or weeks .. even months! It could be as simple as goingto a basement during a tornado warning or staying home without electricityor water for several days during a major storm.In many emergencies, the Red Cross and other organizations set up publicshelters in schools, city or county buildings and churches. While they oftenprovide water, food, medicine, and basic sanitary facilities, you should planto have your own supplies - especially water.Whether your shelter is at home or in a mass care facility use the followingtips while staying there during or after an emergency:Don’t leave - Stay in your shelter until local authorities say it’s okay toleave. Realize that your stay in shelter can range from a few hours to weeks... or longer in some cases.Take it outside - Restrict smoking to well-ventilated areas (outside if it’ssafe to go out) and make sure smoking materials are disposed of safely!Behave - Living with many people in a confined space can be difficult andunpleasant but you must cooperate with shelter managers and others.24-hour watch - Take turns listening to radio updates and keep a 24-hourcommunications and safety watch going.Toilet - Bathrooms may not be available so make sure you have a plan forhuman waste. (see TIPS ON SANITATION OF HUMAN WASTE)Pets - Public shelters may not allow pets (unless it is a service animal assistinga disabled person) so you may have to make arrangements to keep themsomewhere else. Try the Humane Society or local Animal Shelter - if theyare still functioning after a disaster.Fallout shelter - Review pages 113-126 for tips on long-term shelteringduring a nuclear crisis.Next we’re going to cover some basic things to think about in the event youand your family are without power, running water, and/or functioningtoilets during an emergency or disaster. We suggest you read over thesetopics and think about things you might want to get in advance so you canbe prepared for several days or longer.150 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325