Shelter-in-place

Know the warning signals of a nuclear power plant disaster. 

• A steady 3 minute tone if you are close enough to the 10-mile zone to hear it. 

• Broadcast over the television or radio announcing the disaster and giving you instructions on evacuation or sheltering. 

• Possibly the loss of electrical power.

If your children are in school in the affected area, the children will either be sheltered at the school or evacuated to the host community reception center for that particular city/town. 

• Make sure you sign a medical waiver for your child to take KIO3 or KI at the host community reception center or the school. 

• Ensure that your children know that they will be cared for and carry their emergency contact numbers and any relatives in the area.

• Children will remain together under adult supervision.

• Do not attempt to pick up children at school, since this would cause traffic problems and prevent the timely evacuation of all the children.

Know where your emergency supplies and plans are stored.

Listen to the emergency broadcasts for emergency information and instructions. Be ready to evacuate if you are close to the nuclear facility.

Be ready to Shelter-in-place for at least 15 days.

• Designate a place in your house for a "Safe Room" that is close to the center of the house and without windows, if possible. 

• A central are of a basement is great for a "Safe Room". 

• Store your emergency supplies in or near your Safe Room if possible. You don't want to have to go outside. 

• If you have special medical needs, make sure you have stored the appropriate supplies as part of your emergency supplies.

• Every member of the family should start taking KIO3 to block your thyroid of radioactive iodine.

• Make sure you have enough batteries for your flashlights and radio. 

• Monitor your radio and listen for emergency information.

• Stay off the phone unless it is an dire emergency. Phone lines will be required for official use.

This is a list of items that you should have in your house emergency supply kit. They should be stored in your Safe Room or close by. (Feel free to edit this list for your own personal kit. This is to give you an idea of a complete detailed kit)

Equipment

• Beds (bunks or folding)

• Bedding

• Toilet

• Polyethylene bags for toilet

• Table (folding or other)

• Stools (folding)

• Cups and plates (disposable)

• Knives, forks, spoons

• Can opener

• Cooking utensils

• Kerosene cooker (Do not use a pressurized stove in the confines of a small shelter, propane is heavier than air and any leak may cause an explosion.)

• Kerosene lamp

• Kerosene (sufficient for 14 days)

• Candles

• Safety matches

• Hand basin

• Calendar

• Paper towels

• Garbage can (two if no waste water runoff is possible)

• Garbage bags

• Shovel

• Broom

• Battery radio and spare batteries (Alkaline batteries have the best shelf life)

• Electric lamp and spare bulbs

• Clock

• Flashlight and spare batteries

• Fire extinguisher

• Hand tools

• Pocket knife

• Axe

• String

• Light rope

Recreational

• Books

• Paper

• Pencils

• Playing cards

• Chess, checkers, other games

• Crosswords, other puzzles

• Knitting, sewing, etc.

• Hobby materials

Toiletries

• Soap

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Detergent

• Nail brush

• Razor, blades and soap

• Women's basic cosmetics

• Tissues (face and toilet)

• Face cloth

• Towels

• Brush and comb

Clothing and Personal Items

• Coveralls, rubber boots, rubber gloves for adults. (To be used in venturing outside even after instructions have been given that this is safe for short periods.)

• Bedding (blankets preferable)

• Warm sweaters and socks

• Change of underclothing and socks

• Personal hygiene items for women

• Baby clothes

• Baby feeding equipment

• Disposable diapers (two-week supply)

• Legal papers

• Plastic sheeting

• Emergency Numbers & Information
• Emergency Medical Information page for each family member
• Medical release form for each minor child.

Medical Supplies

A simple first aid box kept in your shelter or in your evacuation kit should contain:

• 1 bottle mild antiseptic solution (use to clean cuts)

• KIO3 Potassium Iodate (anti-radiation pills)

• 5 yards 2-inch gauze bandage

• 2 triangular bandages (use for slings)

• 12 4" x 4" sterile pads (use to cover cuts, wounds and burns)

• 12 assorted individual adhesive dressings like Bandaids (use for minor cuts)

• 2 large dressing pads (shell dressing type) 8" x 8" (Available at minimal cost from St. John Ambulance Association)

• 5 yards 1/2 inch adhesive tape

• 9 assorted safety pins

• 1 small bottle toothache drops (for temporary treatment of toothache)

• 1 tube of petroleum jelly

• 1 small bottle aspirin tablets

• 1 thermometer

• 1 small scissors (blunt ended)

• 1 medicine glass

• 1 pair tweezers

• 4 oz baking soda and 8 oz table salt (make a drinking solution by adding 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp baking soda to 1 qt. of water)

• 1 First Aid Manual 

• 1 Home Nursing Textbook 

• 1 packet paper tissues

NOTE: individuals requiring special medication such as insulin should maintain at least 100-days supplies.

Food

These are suggested items and amounts for each adult for 15 days in shelter. Check off the items as you stock them in the shelter and mark the purchase date on them. Food stored for emergency use should be used and replaced at least once a year.

• Milk: 14 cans (6-oz) or 6 cans (15-oz) evaporated milk or 1-lb dried skim milk

• Vegetables: 6 cans (15 or 20-oz) - beans, peas, tomatoes, corn

• Fruits: 6 cans (15 or 20-oz) Ä peaches, pears, apple sauce

• Juices: 6 cans (20-oz) Ä apple, grapefruit, lemon, orange and tomato

• Cereals: 14 individual packages (sealed in wax bags inside or outside)

• 2 packages of crackers (1-lb. each)

• 2 packages of cookies or graham wafers

Main Dish Items:

• 2 cans meat (12-oz) - corned beef, luncheon meats

• 2 cans beef and gravy

• 2 cans baked beans (15 or 20-oz)

• 2 jars cheese

• 2 cans fish (8-oz)

• Canned and Dehydrated Soups: 2 cans (10-oz) - bean, pea, tomato, vegetable

Other Foods:

• 1 large jar or can honey, syrup, jam or marmalade

• 2 lbs. hard candy

• 1 jar or can peanut butter

• 1 package tea bags or instant tea

• 1 jar sugar

• 1 jar instant coffee

• Salt and pepper

• Instant chocolate powder

• Chewing gum

Special Food Requirements for Children

• For each infant include 14 cans evaporated milk (15 oz) and infant food for 14 days.

• For each child up to 3 years, include 8 extra cans of milk.

• Decrease amounts of other foods according to appetite.

• Food for older children can be the same as for adults; adjust amounts according to appetite.

Water

• Requirements: 7-14 gallons for each adult member of family; more for younger children (some water may be replaced by canned beverages).

• Containers: Store in well-cleaned, covered containers such as large thermos jugs, new fuel cans, large bottles, or large plastic containers.

• Change: Change stored water at least once a month.

Other sources of water: 

• Hot-water heater tank

• Toilet flush tank

• House pipes

 Evacuation Emergency Kit