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ENTRY C-05Chemical spill or release: how to shelter in place and seal a room
If officials tell you to shelter in place for a chemical release, get inside, close and lock the doors and windows, turn off all ventilation, and seal yourself into an inside room with plastic sheeting and duct tape (Nevada Division of Emergency Management). Turn on a radio and wait for the all-clear.
- If you are outside
- Sealing a room, step by step
- Which room: upstairs, not the basement
- Get it ready before you need it
- While you wait
- Gear
If you are outside
Move away from the source upwind, so the wind is blowing from you towards it, and find shelter as quickly as you can (Be Ready Utah).
Sealing a room, step by step
Ticks save on this device. Steps from the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, Georgia Emergency Management and Be Ready Utah.
- Everyone and pets inside
- Close and lock outside doors and windows
- Turn off furnace, air conditioning, vents and fans
- Close fireplace dampers
- Take your kit into an inside room with as few windows as possible
- Seal windows, vents and doors with plastic sheeting and duct tape
- Seal gaps under doors with wet towels if you are short of plastic
- Radio on for instructions
Which room: upstairs, not the basement
This is the opposite of a radiation emergency. Be Ready Utah says an upstairs inside room is better for a chemical release, because many chemical hazards are heavier than air and sink. For radiation, go down (see C-02).
Get it ready before you need it
Be Ready Utah suggests choosing your room now, cutting plastic sheeting to fit each window and vent ahead of time, labeling it, and practicing with your family. In a real release you may have minutes, not an hour.
While you wait
- If you think fumes have got in, take shallow breaths through a cloth or towel (Nevada DEM).
- Do not eat or drink anything that may have been exposed.
- Do not leave until officials say it is safe.
Common mistakes
- Leaving the heating or air conditioning on. It pulls outside air in.
- Choosing the basement. For chemicals, go to an upstairs inside room.
- Trying to cut plastic to size in the moment. Cut and label it now.
- Walking downwind to get away. Go upwind.
Gear for this
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Plastic sheeting
Named by Nevada DEM and FEMA's kit list for sealing a room. Cut to fit your windows and vents ahead of time.
Duct tape (two rolls) and scissors
Be Ready Utah suggests 2 rolls of medium grade or better duct tape.
Battery AM/FM or NOAA radio
So you hear the all-clear.
Questions people ask
How do you shelter in place during a chemical spill?
Get inside, close doors and windows, turn off ventilation, go to an inside room and seal it with plastic sheeting and duct tape, then listen for instructions.
Should I go to the basement in a chemical emergency?
No. Be Ready Utah says an upstairs inside room is better because many chemical hazards are heavier than air.
Which way should I go if I'm outside near a chemical release?
Upwind of the source, then get inside as fast as you can.
Sources
- Nevada Division of Emergency Management: Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents
- Be Ready Utah: Shelter in Place
- Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency: Chemical Threat
Related entries
- C-02Radiation emergency: where to shelter in your home and for how longBasement or middle of the house, windows shut, air off, at least 24 hours.
- D-01Hurricane emergency kit checklistThe FEMA kit list as a tick-off checklist, plus the hurricane rules that keep people alive.
- C-07Pandemic and disease outbreak: what to have at homeA 2-week supply, bought slowly. The checklist health departments recommend.
General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.