Stay Kit or Shelter-in-Place Kit

 

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. An emergency “stay kit” (or shelter-in-place kit) contains supplies for 3+ days at home, focusing on water (1 gallon/person/day), non-perishable food, first aid, medications, sanitation (wipes, bags), tools (wrench/pliers, can opener, flashlight/batteries), communication (radio, chargers), documents (copies in waterproof case), and comfort items (blankets, change of clothes). A Shelter-In-Place order is a temporary measure, often lasting a few hours, that prioritizes staying inside a protected space over evacuating, which might be riskier. 

 

 

Shelter in Place from Ready.gov

Whether you are at home, work or anywhere else you frequent regularly, there may be situations when it’s best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside.

Here are some tips for sheltering in place:

  • Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do.
  • Pay attention to local media outlets for official news and instructions as they become available.
  • Bring your family and pets inside.
  • Lock doors, close windows, air vents and fireplace dampers.
  • Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced air heating systems.
  • Take your emergency supply kit unless you have reason to believe it has been contaminated.
  • Go into an interior room with few windows if possible.
  • Seal all windows, doors and air vents with thick plastic sheeting and duct tape. Consider measuring and cutting the sheeting in advance to save time.
  • Cut the plastic sheeting several inches wider than the openings and label each sheet.
  • Duct tape plastic at corners first and then tape down all edges.
  • Be prepared to improvise and use what you have on hand to seal gaps so that you create a barrier between yourself and any contamination.

“Sealing a room” is considered a temporary protective measure to create a barrier between you and potentially contaminated air outside. This type of sheltering in place requires pre-planning, by purchasing plastic sheeting and duct tape that you would keep in your emergency supply kit.

 

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