Sheltering in Place - Deciding Factors - Part Two

When sheltering in place, always take into account the type of hazard you will be facing and plan accordingly for that particular hazard. Choose the location in your home that will be the safest place for you to avoid or minimize the effects of that hazard. It is a critical decision that should be made in advance when time to avoid the hazard, should it occur, may be limited.

Deciding Factors - The Primary Decisions

1.) Choosing the area within your home for sheltering in place will be the first critical decision. The area or room selected should provide at least ten square feet per person at a minimum. This will provide adequate air to breathe without excess buildup of carbon dioxide. You should also have an alternative area selected in case additional family members or friends are present and more space is required. Your sheltering in place needs will vary by the particular threat that you may be subject to and your plans should take the different scenarios into account. The room or area chosen should always have adequate space for everyone that may be present during the emergency.

2.) Plan to shelter in place the required amount of time to avoid the danger. This could be anything from a few minutes in the case of a tornado or several hours in the case of a hazardous material release. It could be as long as several days in the event of severe flooding and could be as much as a few weeks in the case of a winter storm or blizzard. You will need to plan according to the major threats that could affect you and your family.

3.) The proper size and type of location to shelter in place depends entirely on the type of emergency situation. A safe area from a tornado will be different from the area needed to safely avoid flooding. The need to shelter in place for a short period of time will require less space than an extended period of sheltering in place due to a winter storm. Understanding the differences in the type of threats and the dangers that they may cause is critical for your survival.

The proper knowledge and understanding of the specific actions required when sheltering in place is an important part of being prepared. This will allow you to handle that threat in the best way possible in order to minimize its effects on you and your family.

You can read the first part here:

Sheltering In Place-Deciding Factors - Part One

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker