Taking shelter -  having a safe place to go and having the time to get there, are often critical elements in protecting yourself and your household in times of disaster.  Sheltering can take several forms. 

Shelter-In-Place - Sheltering-in-place is appropriate when conditions require that you take protection in your home, place of employment, or other location where you are when a disaster strikes.  How and where to shelter-in-place depends entirely on the emergency situation.  Sometimes disasters make it unsafe for people to leave their residencies for extended periods.  You may be isolated, unable to leave or for rescue workers to arrive.  In these cases, you may need to be self-sufficient for an extended period of time.  It is critical that you have prepared a Disaster Supplies Kit that can sustain you and your family for up to 2 weeks.

Shelter Facility - Taking shelter can also mean that you have been displaced from your home and you and your family are temporarily residing in a Shelter Facility, such as one provided by the Red Cross.  Or, you may be “sheltering” in a temporary facility of your own making, such as a tent.  Again, be sure that you have an adequate Disaster Supplies Kit to sustain you, your family and your pets.

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