What if an emergency is declared, you are instructed to shelter-in-place, and you or your children are not at home?

If you are at work:

• Employees, customers, and owners will need to stay if told to shelter-in-place.
• Unless there is an imminent threat, employees, customers, and others should call their emergency contacts to let them know where they are and that they are safe.
• If the business closes, the manager/owner should consider changing the voicemail message to indicate that the business is closed and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.
• The business owner/manager should write down the names of everyone in the building, if possible, and call the designated emergency contact for the business to report who is there.
• Follow other guidance for sheltering-in-place for the hazard at hand.

If your child is at school:

• The school will likely activate its emergency plan and, if told to shelter-in-place, will bring students, faculty, and staff indoors.
• Students and staff will be instructed to remain in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave.
• The school’s voicemail message might be changed to indicate that the school is closed and that students and staff are remaining in the building until authorities advise that it is safe to leave

If you are in a vehicle:

This depends on the type of hazard present. In general:

• If you are very close to home, your office, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the shelter-in-place recommendations of the building.
• If you are unable to get to a home or building quickly and safely, then pull over to the side of the road. Stop on the side of the road when safe to do so. If it is sunny outside, it is preferable to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot to avoid overheating.
• Turn off the engine. Close windows and vents. For a chemical, radiological, or biological threat, seal the heating/air conditioning vents with duct tape, if possible.
• If there is a hurricane, don’t stay in your vehicle out in the open. Get protection next to a fixed structure, away from an area that may flood.
• If there is a tornado threat, stop on the side of the road when safe to do so. Leave your vehicle and seek shelter in a ditch or ravine. Be sure to cover/protect your head.
• Listen to the radio for updated advice and instructions.
• Stay where you are until you are told it is safe to get back on the road. Follow the directions of law enforcement officials.