Public Information
SHELTERING IN PLACE

What is SHELTERING IN PLACE?		‘Sheltering in place’ is an official recommendation to stay at a current 
					location. During emergencies, emergency response leaders may 
					use this phrase to direct people to take refuge at their current location 
					until further notice. Sheltering in place protects people during severe 
					weather, other emergencies, acts of war, or when travel is dangerous. It 
					is also used during disease outbreaks, chemical accidents and 
					radiation emergencies threatening public health.


How will you learn about 		Turn on your radio and television and watch the news during any 
‘sheltering in place’ directions?	emergency. Listen carefully to instructions provided by the 
 					Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), Delaware’s Division 
					of Public Health (DPH), or other emergency responders. If they instruct 
					people to ‘shelter in place,’ stay where you are or get to 
					an indoor place. Once inside, find a centrally located room or basement 
					with as few windows as possible. Take your radio or television with 
					you. Locate flashlights and batteries, and your disaster supplies kit. Bring 
					in pets. Close and lock all windows and exterior doors. During chemical 
					leaks, turn off fans, heating and air conditioning systems and fireplace 
					dampers. 

How long do people have to 		Depending on the type of emergency, this period can be as 
‘shelter in place’?			little as a few hours or as long as many hours or days. Remain inside 
					and sheltered until emergency response leaders announce through 
					the media that it is safe to leave. Listen to radio, car radio or television 
					news reports for such alerts.

What can I do now to prepare for 	Establish a disaster supplies kit. Usea plastic see-through box with a lid,
emergencies at home and at 		or a few leftover backpacks and keep your kit on a high shelf in the 
work? 					garage, basement or closet. Be sure it is not too heavy to lift, and not 
					blocked by other items.

					Pack the kit with these supplies:   

					*	Food with a long shelf life – Canned, dried and packaged 
						food products. Store enough food for each member of the 
						household for at least two weeks. 

	 				*	Water – Purchase and store bottled water, or store water 
						from the tap in clean containers. Each person in the 
						household needs about one gallon per day. Store 
						enough water for at least two weeks. 

					*	A change of clothes and shoes – Include underwear, 
						socks, sturdy shoes or work boots, and winter or 
						summer clothes as needed.

					*	Other items – battery- operated radio and batteries, 
						flashlight and batteries, hand-operated can opener, 
						first aid kit, toiletries, paper plates, paper towels and 
						plastic utensils, plastic bags,bedding, essential 
						medicines, extra eyeglasses or contact lenses, cash, 
						telephone or cell phone, cleaning supplies and hand 
						sanitizers, duct tape and heavy plastic sheeting, pet 
						food, baby food, games and 	books.

For more information:			Visit the CDC website for Emergency Preparedness and Response: 
					www.bt.cdc.gov/ or the Delaware Emergency Management Agency website: 
					www.state.de.us/dema. Or, call the county emergency operations centers: 
					(302) 573-2855 in New Castle County, 	(302) 735- 3465 in Kent County, and 
					(302) 855-7801 in Sussex County.



24/7 Emergency Contact Number:  1-888-295-5156
Revised: 11/2009   Doc. # 35-05-20/09/11/29