Shelter in Place

Sometimes the safest response to an emergency is to stay indoors and seal your home. Knowing when and how to shelter in place can protect your family from toxic clouds, chemical accidents and other external hazards.

Stay inside, seal up, listen for updates

During a chemical spill, industrial accident or radiological event, going outside could expose you to dangerous substances. Sheltering in place means staying indoors, sealing the room, and waiting for official instructions. Do not evacuate unless told to do so by the authorities.

When to shelter in place

Shelter in place for these threats

  • Toxic cloud or chemical spill: industrial accidents, tanker crashes, factory fires releasing hazardous fumes
  • Radiological or nuclear event: contamination plume requires immediate indoor protection
  • Severe storm or tornado: when it is too dangerous to travel to a shelter
  • Active threat outside: authorities advise staying indoors for safety
  • Volcanic ash fall: fine particles are dangerous to breathe

Evacuate instead if

  • Authorities specifically order evacuation
  • Your building is structurally damaged (earthquake, explosion)
  • There is a fire in or very near your building
  • Flooding threatens your ground floor and water is rising
  • You can smell gas inside the building (gas leak)
  • See our evacuation guide for planning routes

Step-by-step room sealing

Choose the right room

Select an interior room with as few windows and doors as possible, ideally on an upper floor (chemical gases are often heavier than air and settle at ground level). A bedroom or study works well. Avoid the kitchen (too many vents) and the bathroom (unless it is the only windowless room).

Sealing procedure

  1. Close all windows and doors throughout the entire building, not just the shelter room
  2. Turn off ventilation: air conditioning, heating, extractor fans, and any system that draws outside air
  3. Seal the shelter room door with plastic sheeting and duct tape. Pre-cut sheets to size for faster deployment
  4. Cover windows with plastic sheeting, taping all edges securely to the wall
  5. Block vents and gaps: use damp towels at the base of doors, tape over air vents and keyholes
  6. Turn off gas at the mains if instructed by authorities
  7. Fill gaps around pipes entering the room with damp cloths or tape

Ventilation management

During confinement

  • A sealed room provides breathable air for approximately 4-6 hours for a small family
  • Reduce physical activity to lower oxygen consumption
  • Do not light candles, gas stoves or anything that consumes oxygen
  • If confinement lasts more than 4 hours, briefly unseal one edge of a window covering to allow minimal fresh air, then reseal
  • Monitor for symptoms of low oxygen: headache, dizziness, rapid breathing

After the all-clear

  • Wait for official confirmation that the threat has passed (radio, TV, ANEPC alerts)
  • Open all windows and doors to ventilate the entire building thoroughly
  • Allow at least 15-30 minutes of full ventilation before resuming normal activity
  • If you were exposed to chemicals, remove outer clothing and shower thoroughly
  • Do not go outside to investigate. Wait for the authorities

Confinement kit

Prepare a confinement kit and store it in your chosen shelter room. Check and update it every 6 months.

Sealing materials

  • Heavy-duty plastic sheeting (0.2 mm thick minimum), pre-cut to window and door sizes
  • Wide duct tape (at least 3 rolls)
  • Large bin bags (can substitute for plastic sheets)
  • Damp towels for door gaps
  • Scissors and a utility knife

Survival essentials

  • Water: 3 litres per person per day, minimum 72 hours (9 litres each)
  • Food: non-perishable items for 72 hours (energy bars, tinned food, crackers)
  • Battery-powered or wind-up radio (RDP Antena 1: 95.7 FM Lisbon, 720 AM national)
  • Torch with spare batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Phone charger and power bank

Comfort and hygiene

  • Bucket with lid and bin bags (emergency toilet)
  • Toilet paper and wet wipes
  • Blankets or sleeping bags
  • Medications for household members (7-day supply)
  • Activities for children (books, cards, colouring supplies)
  • Copy of your family plan

Duration and communication

How long to stay

  • Chemical incidents: typically 2-6 hours until the cloud disperses
  • Radiological events: could be 24 hours or more. Authorities will advise
  • Severe storms: duration of the weather event plus 30 minutes after
  • Do not leave until you receive an official all-clear
  • If you must leave for a medical emergency, cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth

Staying informed

  • Battery radio tuned to RDP Antena 1 (national emergency broadcasts)
  • Mobile phone for ANEPC SMS alerts
  • Avoid unnecessary phone calls to keep networks available for emergencies
  • Send a brief text to your emergency contact confirming you are safe
  • Follow ANEPC on social media for updates
  • See our off-grid communication guide

Special considerations

Apartments and flats

  • Higher floors are generally safer for chemical events (heavier-than-air gases)
  • Seal the front door and any shared ventilation ducts
  • Close the fireplace damper if you have one
  • Coordinate with neighbours if possible, but do not go into hallways unnecessarily
  • See our apartment preparedness guide

Vulnerable people

  • Elderly people and those with respiratory conditions may struggle in sealed rooms
  • Ensure sufficient medication supply, especially inhalers and oxygen if used
  • Babies and young children need extra water and comfort items
  • Pets should be brought inside and given water. Close pet doors
  • See our guides for vulnerable people and pets

Practise before you need it

Conduct a shelter-in-place drill with your family. Time how long it takes to gather everyone, move to the shelter room, and seal it. Aim for under 10 minutes. Keep your confinement kit in the designated room so everything is ready. Discuss the plan with all household members, including children, so everyone knows what to do when the alert comes.