Shelter-In-Place: Hazardous Materials

When hazardous materials such as chemical, biological, or radioactive contaminants are released into the atmosphere, either by an accident or an act of terrorism, you may be given direction by authorities to shelter-in-place.  In this case shelter-in-place means finding protection in an inside room which has few or no windows, and securing the room from toxins.  The room should not be in the basement, or on the ground floor, if possible, since certain gases are heavier than air and will move to the lowest level.

The basic procedures outlined in an earlier article, "Shelter-In-Place After a Storm or an Earthquake," are to be generally followed, however, there are additional steps to take when dealing with hazardous materials.  I will review only these additional procedures in this article.

Secure the structure

• Only if there is time, use duct tape to seal around perimeter doors and other areas where outside air can come into the building.
  
• Get your disaster kits and go to the designated inside room. 
  
  
• When all those seeking shelter, and pets, are in the room, use duct tape to seal around the door and windows.  Also, cover air vents, fan openings and other areas where gasses may enter the room, with plastic sheeting and duct tape, which you should keep with your disaster kits or in the designated room.  

• Water and food, along with other emergency supplies should be stored in disaster kits and available to be taken into your safe room.  Have an emergency kit for pets with food, extra water and litter.
  
• A radio is essential for getting up-to-date information on the disaster, and a telephone will allow you to communicate with your out of town emergency contacts to let them know where you are, your condition, and to contact emergency services, if needed.
  
• When enclosed in a confined area, dealing with human and pet waste will become a significant issue.  Restop products can help solve this problem.  As discussed in "Shelter-In-Place After a Storm or an Earthquake," Restop 1 is a disposable bag, which turns urine into a gel and neutralized the odor:  Restop 2 will contain human waste and combine with the Restop Commode makes an effiicient portable toilet.  If living quarters are going to be restricted, the Restop Privacy Tent is available for those wishing privacy.  And don't forget the hand sanitizer, soap and additional water.

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