Sheltering In-Place PREPAREDNESS

Evacuation is not always the safest option in Prepare your home before . . . the event of a hazardous material or other type of emergency. Your home or workplace can be a L Choose a room for a “safe-room”: Ideally, the safe haven from an emergency. Up-front room has few windows, large enough to hold preparations will help. the number of people you wish and has access to water. A bedroom with an adjoining bath is - “Sheltering In-Place” or “Protecting In- a great place. Place” means staying inside your home or other building until emergency officials give L Prepare window coverings: Windows should be an “all-clear” signal. Sheltering In-place sealed to prevent hazards from entering. can be your safest option in some Measure windows and skylights - cut plastic emergencies. (adding 6" to the borders) to be placed over the windows. Label the sheets for each - Sheltering In-Place is most commonly used window. For a serious wind condition think for hazardous material emergencies but can about something heavier to guard against also be used during some storms and some broken glass entering the room (wood, heavy police emergencies where evacuation and cardboard, even a mattress). exposure to the outside can be life- threatening. L Prepare vent and door coverings: Like the windows, measure each air vent, door and any - Sheltering In-Place preparations other opening leading outside the room. Cut, complement your other family emergency label and store plastic sheeting. preparedness efforts. L Assemble shelter in-place supplies: Your Sheltering In-Place supplies supplies should be stored in the pre- designated room. An under-the-bed box may T Battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra work well or use a container that fits on a batteries, battery powered or cellular closet shelf or in a cabinet. phone (if no phone in room)

T Snack foods, water or drinks, pet foods

T Plastic sheeting for windows, doors, air Potential Sheltering In-Place Emergencies vents or other opening. You may want to pre-cut and label them • Hazardous material release (or fire) • Severe wind storm (or thunderstorm) T Rolls of duct tape for the plastic sheeting • Terrorist incident

T Towel for under the door ALWAYS follow the directions of appropriate emergency officials T First Aid Kit Sheltering In-Place Procedures . . . Sheltering In-Place DON’TS . . .

& Stay inside the enclosed building or your X Don’t: call the school to try to pick up your “safe room”. If possible bring pets inside. children. They will be safer sheltering in- place at the school than they would be & Close and lock all windows and doors to the riding in your vehicle. (Also: The school outside. Close drapes or shades over all may be outside hazard area - depending windows. Push wet towels under the doors upon the emergency) to help seal against outside air if appropriate. X Don’t: Leave your shelter until the “all clear” signal is sounded. & Turn off all heating/air conditioning systems, and switch inlets or vents to the X Don’t: Risk your safety for pets. If they “closed” position. Extinguish fireplace fires can’t be found within a minute or two, you’ll and close dampers. have to shelter in-place without them.

& In the shelter room - use tape and pre- X Don’t: Call 9-1-1 for a Non-Emergency. cut/labeled plastic sheeting to seal around doors, windows, heating vents, skylights, or X Don’t: Wait until the disaster strikes to any opening which could let air in. prepare . . . It’s never too early!

& Seal bathroom exhaust fans or grills, range vents, dryer vents, and other openings (in Potential emergency public information shelter room only). sources:

& If there is no phone in your designated N Emergency service door-to-door or shelter room, bring along a battery- vehicle public address system operated or cellular phone. notification or other outdoor warning device. & Listen to the Emergency Alert System radio messages and follow the instructions. N Telephone alerting networks Other local stations may carry the instructions. N Radio & television news

& Do not go outside or attempt to drive unless N Emergency Alert System (EAS) specifically told to do so. Evacuation procedures may vary by area of danger. EAS stations in Bergen County:

& Once the emergency has passed, ventilate WFME 94.7 FM WWDJ 970 AM your entire house. WFDU 89.1 FM WABC 770 AM WRPR 90.3 FM WPAT 103.1 FM WCBS 880 AM (Spanish)

Bergen County Office of Emergency Management 201-634-3100 or wwww.bcoem.org