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Shelter

Taking shelter is often a critical element in protecting yourself and your household in times of emergency. If there is an airborne risk from a chemical spill or similar event, sheltering is your best form of protection.

You will be advised to go in, stay in, tune in.

In other words, sheltering means that you go indoors and stay there until told by the police or via television and radio that it is safe to go outside again. You should tune in to your local radio stations to receive news and advice about the emergency.

When told to do so by the emergency services, go inside and close all windows and lock doors, switch off any fans, air conditioning units, venting and heat ducting that draw air in from outside.
Go in to a room as far away from the hazard as possible. The best room would be on the highest level with the least openings to the outside and preferably on the downwind side.
Stay in and do not go back outside until told it is safe for you to do so.
- Take your radio, some snacks and water with you into the room
- If you have pets, do no go outside to look for them; wait until they come to the door, let them in and keep them in a room separate from those that were inside at the time of the emergency. If they were outside at the time of the emergency, you may put yourself and others with you at risk if you let them in.
Tune in to local radio and or television stations for updates on what to do.
Avoid eating uncovered food that may have been exposed to any contaminated air in the emergency. Packaged food should not be affected. The Food Standards Agency will issue advice about agricultural products and milk.
Avoid using the phone, especially mobiles, unless it is essential, as the emergency services will need to use the limited number of lines available.
The police and education authorities will ensure that children attending any schools affected by the emergency are properly looked after.
If you are out walking when the sheltering advice comes, go into a shop or other public building and wait for further instructions.
If it is a matter of life or death, call the Emergency Services on 999. Do not call 999 just to seek information; you may be compromising a genuine emergency call.
Do not go and get your children. They will be quite safe inside the school, nursery or with their child minder and you will only do yourself harm in going outside. Should evacuation be necessary, your children will be taken to a safe rest centre where you can pick them up, or where they will be looked after until you can leave your own sheltering area.
If you were outside during the emergency, when it is practical to do so you should change your clothes and shower. Place the discarded clothes inside a bin liner; tie the bag and then place that bag into another bin liner. Put the bag to one side until its contents can be checked. Shower in the normal manner avoiding swallowing any water. Pay particular attention to washing your eyes and any open cuts or scratches.
If you have any concerns, call the health advice contact number that will be broadcast on local television and radio or NHS Direct. Do not leave the shelter you are in.
If you are in a sheltering area and rely on a home care assistant, they will not be able to come to you. Your local authority will inform social services, who will try and contact you by phone. Only call the emergency services on 999 if you are in immediate danger.