Shelter-in-place method

Case Study

In October 2009, in Contra Costa County, California, a teenager mixed dangerous chemicals at home to commit suicide. Residents of the area complained about smoke and offensive odors. Many suffered from severe chest pain. The local county has issued shelter-in-place orders to all nearby areas. Also, on August 6, 2012, the City of Richmond, California issued a shelter-in-place recommendation for a fire at the Chevron Richmond Refinery. Poisonous gas traveled through the air and flowed into the home, many complaining of respiratory problems. And finally, on October 29, 2012, the city of Louisville, Kentucky declared an emergency after a train loaded with dangerous chemicals derailed and exploded near Catherine Station. I made a recommendation.

Should I evacuate or should I evacuate?

Municipalities are the best people to know if a scenario justifies evacuation or shelter-in-place advice. It is important to listen to the radio if you suspect an emergency has occurred. For example, officials in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, have decided to evacuate more than 200,000 people after a train derailed and exploded on November 10, 1979. Train cars carried dangerous chemicals such as butane, propane, styrene, propylene and toluene. And chlorine.

How to evacuate on the spot?

1. Lock all car and house windows, including internal and external doors.

Lock windows and doors and close them tightly. Open windows and doors are extremely dangerous to all passengers in the car and residents in the house.

2. Turn off all fans, heating, and A / C systems to avoid inhaling outside air.

If you are in a house or car, turn off all heating and air conditioning fans. This includes the internal circulating air inside the car. Many manufacturers have significantly improved their air filters, but it’s not worth the risk of drawing deadly chemicals into your car or home.

3. Take out the emergency kit, radio and N95 mask

Take out the N95 mask included in the emergency kit and secure it around your mouth and nose. Take out the emergency radio and listen to the emergency broadcast on the Shelter-in-Place recommendations.

4. Go to a room on the ground without windows

If you are in the house, go to a room on the ground without windows. By doing this, you can maximize your chances of reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals. Some chemicals are heavier than others and cannot move on the ground. Therefore, it is wise to evacuate to the ground.

5. Use the duct tape included in the emergency kit to seal all cracks around the door and vents.

Use the emergency kit duct tape to seal all cracks around windows and doors. In the car or at home. The gap between the door and the window is the most vulnerable exposure point. Small holes are exposed to harmful chemicals and can cause serious injuries. For this reason, duct tape helps create airtight seals for safety.

Follow these steps and be ready the next time your shelter-in-place order is announced.Don’t forget to have your personal emergency kit Roadside emergency kit You can use it at any time. It’s not just a bag, it’s also a family life.