Living in the Coastal Bend forces you to be very aware of the Hurricane Season {June 1st– November 30th} and all of the things that we need to make sure our homes and families are prepared during a hurricane or weather event.
But how many of us are prepared for a chemical emergency?
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Many of us in the Coastal Bend have refineries fairly close to our residence. This means that year-round we need to have an emergency plan in place for our families and supplies for a Shelter in Place Kit.
In the event of a major chemical release by one of the refineries, the local authorities may require that residents in the area “Shelter in Place.”
This will require you and your family to stay indoors, if you have students at school or family members at work, they too will need to stay where in place.
If you have students you may want to contact your local school and see what sort of Shelter in Place policies and procedures they have in place and what type of communication will be used to update you during the emergency.
There are several things that you should do in the event of a shelter in place order:
- First, go indoors as soon as possible. Try and find a room with the fewest windows and doors, but somewhere you still have access to water and restrooms. {Make sure to remember those furbabies that may be outside as well!}
- Close all your doors {including internal doors}, and all windows.
- Turn off your heating, cooling and ventilation systems. You will also want to close any fireplace dampers.
- Seal gaps or cracks around doors and windows. You can use damp towels for the bottom of your doors and duct tape for around your windows. You should also use masking tape to tape across your windows in the event of an explosion.
- Turn your TV’s to local stations for updated information, and avoid calling 911 unless it is an emergency.
- DO NOT evacuate or travel unless instructed to by the authorities.
In order to take the steps necessary to shelter in place you should always have your Emergency Kits handy. This could be apart of your Hurricane Kit or you could keep them separated.
Just remember to replace anything that has been removed and check them yearly to be sure that all your items are in working order.
Our Shelter in Place kit includes:
- Towels {4-one for each outer door, and an extra for the laundry room door}
- Flash Light {one heavy duty and then 4 LED lights that are half for safety and half for kids entertainment}
- First Aid kit
- Duct Tape
- Masking Tape
- Gallon of Water
- Plastic Trash Bags {not pictured because mine need to be replaced!}
There are times, in the event of an emergency, the authorities will require residents closest to the effected area to evacuate.
In this case you will want to have a route and location already planned. Bring your emergency kit with you and know where to get information about the emergency.
If you need help planning and would like more information please visit Corpus Christi/Nueces County Local Emergency Planning Committee website , or you can also visit the CDC emergency website.
Do you have a Shelter in Place plan for your family?
What do you have in your Emergency Kits?
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