Emergency Instructions

What is shelter-in-place?

Shelter-in-place requires that you stay inside your home or the building you are in when the emergency occurs. Instructions to shelter-in-place will come from authorities/government responding to the emergency situation. If you are outside and not near your home when the emergency takes place, seek shelter from the hazard by entering the nearest building.

Emergencies that require shelter-in-place include:

• releases of dangerous goods into the area outside the building you are occupying, such as chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contaminants
• severe weather, such as a tornado
• earthquakes

Before a shelter-in-place emergency

• Be prepared - ensure that your household has emergency plans and emergency kits in place.
• Review and discuss the shelter-in-place procedures on this webpage to make sure everyone understands what to do in the event of an emergency that requires you to shelter-in-place.
• Stay informed.

During a shelter-in-place emergency

Hazardous materials incident

The following steps will help maximize your protection in the event that chemical, biological or radiological contaminants are released into the surrounding environment. If you are instructed to "shelter-in-place" gather your family members in your home and:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air-conditioning systems to avoid drawing in air from the outside.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your emergency kit.
• Make sure the radio is working and has spare batteries.
• Go to an interior room that is above ground level (if possible, one without windows). An above-ground location is preferable during a chemical threat because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements.
• Using duct tape or another wide tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Placing wet towels under the doors will also prevent the entry of smoke and/or fumes into your home.
• Stay informed.

If you are in a motor vehicle:

• Stop and seek shelter in a permanent building if possible.
• If that is not possible, remain in your vehicle and keep windows and vents closed and shut off the air conditioner and heater.

Tornado

The following steps will help maximize your protection in the event of a tornado:

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Get your emergency kit.
• Go to the basement or take shelter in a small interior ground floor room such as a bathroom, closet or hallway. If you have no basement, protect yourself by taking shelter under a heavy table or desk.
• In all cases, stay away from windows, outside walls and doors.
• Make sure the radio is working and has spare batteries.
• Stay informed.

If you are outside and not near your home:

• Stop and seek shelter in a permanent building if possible.
• If that is not possible, remain in your vehicle and monitor the radio for updates and instructions from the authorities or government officials and watch for a tornado.
• If you spot a tornado in the distance, get out of your vehicle (as your vehicle could flip) and take cover in a low-lying area away from the vehicle. Beware of flooding from downpours and be prepared to move.

Winter Storm

• If your car is stuck in a winter storm, remain calm and stay in your car. Keep fresh air in your car by opening the window slightly on the sheltered side, away from the wind. You can run the car engine about 10 minutes every half-hour if the exhaust system is working well.
• Beware of exhaust fumes and check the exhaust pipe periodically to make sure it is not blocked by snow. Remember you cannot smell potentially fatal carbon monoxide fumes.
• To keep your hands and feet warm exercise them periodically. In general, it is a good idea to keep moving to avoid falling asleep.
• If you do try to shovel the snow from around your car, avoid over-exerting yourself as shovelling and bitter cold can cause death as a result of sweating or a heart attack.

After a shelter-in-place emergency

• When the "All Clear" message has been issued by an emergency broadcast or news alert, everyone can leave the room.
• If the shelter-in-place order was issued due to extreme weather, such as a tornado, make sure that your household building is structurally safe. Look for buckled walls or floors; watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris.
• If there is damage to your home, check with your insurance provider to see if you have insurance.
• If the shelter-in-place order was issued due to a hazardous materials incident, open all doors to ventilate.
• Review and discuss what to do in the event of another nuclear accident. Update your household emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.

When Should I evacuate?

Emergencies that could result in evacuation instructions include:

• releases of dangerous goods into the area outside the building you're occupying, such as chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear contaminants
• severe weather
• earthquakes

Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger. It is important to stay informed and listen to local news outlets to hear updates from the authorities on the emergency.

Before an evacuation

• Be prepared: ensure that your household has emergency plans and emergency kits in place.
• Review and discuss shelter-in-place procedures to make sure everyone understands what to do in the event of shelter-in-place instructions or an emergency that requires you to shelter-in-place, prior to being evacuated.
• Stay informed.

During an evacuation

Authorities will not ask you to leave your home unless they have reason to believe you are in danger.

If you are ordered to evacuate, take:

• your emergency kit
• your emergency plan
• essential medications and copies of prescriptions
• your cell phone (if you have one) and should you have cellular service and battery life, use it only for emergencies or for quick updates to your emergency contact.

If you have time:

• Contact your out-of-town contact and family contacts and inform them of the emergency and that you are evacuating your home as per instructions from the authorities. Tell them where you are going and when you expect to arrive. Once you are safe, let them know. Tell them if any family members have become separated.
• Leave a note telling others when you left and where you are going.

Protect your home:

• Shut off water and electricity if officials tell you to.
• Leave natural gas service on, unless officials tell you to turn it off. (If you turn off the gas, the gas company has to reconnect it. In a major emergency, it could take weeks for a professional to respond. You would be without gas for heating and cooking).
• Lock your home.

When evacuating:

• Make arrangements for your pet(s). Or, stay tuned for further instructions on pet-friendly emergency shelters. Pack a kit for your pet(s) and include food and water for several days, identification, medications, leash or harness, carriers, bedding and toys. Pets are not allowed in some emergency shelters, so plan in advance for a pet-friendly location.
• Lock your home (closed all windows if not already done so).
• Follow the route authorities recommend. Do not take shortcuts as they may be blocked or expose you to dangerous hazards.
• If you need a ride, ask a neighbour. If a neighbour is not available to assist you, listen to local radio and television stations and social media as well as on our Emergency Alerts webpage. Alternatively, you could contact Service Oshawa.
• Check with your neighbours to make sure they have been notified and offer help to those with disabilities or other special needs. Elderly people and people with disabilities may require assistance.
• When you are evacuated and directed to an evacuation centre, register at the reception centre so that you can be contacted and reunited with your family.
• If possible, contact your out-of-area emergency contact. Alert your contact to any separated family members.

After an evacuation

• Review and discuss what to do in the event of another emergency situation.
• Update your household emergency plan if needed.
• Replenish your emergency kit.