DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

THINK ABOUT SHELTERSheltering may take many forms since it depends on the type of disaster orsituation. There may be times where you and your family may need to“shelter-in-place” meaning you stay put wherever you are (home, school,work or car) until wicked weather passes or local authorities say it’s okayto come out. Or, in some cases, your family may have to leave your homeand go to a shelter or mass care facility determined by local officials (likea high school gym or convention center.)For example, during a tornado warning you should seek shelter in a basementor an inside room away from windows. However, during a hazardousspill or chemical attack you should take shelter in a room above ground andpossibly seal off room to keep gas or fumes from coming in. Or if there’s awildfire nearby or a hurricane brewing along the Coast your family mayneed to evacuate your home.Some things you should talk about in advance with family include:Make a plan - Develop a Family Emergency Plan and Disaster SuppliesKits for home, car and office / locker (covered on previous pages). Makesure you include important paperwork, money, etc.Pick safe rooms - Talk about which room would be best for each type ofdisaster that may occur where you live.Where would we go? - Decide in advance where you would go in case youcan’t return home for weeks or months .. or ever. If your home is damagedor destroyed or you’re forced to leave your home due to on-going threats(like mudslides or flooding), you will need to find temporary or permanentliving quarters. This could mean staying in a public shelter or hotel, livingwith friends or relatives, or renting a home or apartment in the middle of allthe chaos, so discuss several options now. Then, write down those optionsand share them with relatives and friends.Away from home - Learn “shelter-in-place” procedures at work and schoolso everyone knows what to expect for each type of disaster or incident.Also review specific disasters in Section 2 for additional things to thinkabout and do as it relates to sheltering. For example, fallout and polecoveredtrench shelters are covered in the TERRORISM topic. And seeTIPS ON RECOVERING FROM A DISASTER and TIPS ON SHELTERLIVING DURING OR AFTER AN EMERGENCY at the end of Section 2.By planning ahead, your family will know where to go and what to dowhich can help reduce some fear and anxiety that surrounds a disaster.24 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325