Shelter · Decision reference · Basic
Shelter in Place or Evacuate?
Match your action to the actual hazard and official instructions rather than assuming staying home is always safest.
This is for educational purposes only. Not professional medical, electrical, or safety advice.
Warning
Never treat sheltering as a reason to ignore an evacuation order or immediate danger.
- 01
Identify the instruction
Follow hazard-specific official instructions first. An evacuation order means leave; a shelter instruction means remain in the location described. The safest action differs for wildfire, storms and chemical releases.
- 02
Leave promptly when directed
Take essential medicines and your go-bag, use recommended routes and tell your household contact where you are going when possible. Do not delay departure to finish collecting supplies.
- 03
Choose hazard-appropriate shelter
Follow instructions for the specific indoor room and whether to close windows or ventilation. A storm shelter location may be different from a chemical-release shelter location. Do not use a single sealing rule for every event.
- 04
Keep essentials close
Keep a radio, phone power, safe water and medicines accessible. Account for every household member and monitor people who depend on medical equipment or assistance.
- 05
Reassess conditions
Keep monitoring official updates. Leave when instructed or seek emergency help if the current location becomes immediately unsafe. A general guide cannot determine safety at your exact location.