Shelter-in-Place Basics: Staying Indoors When Outside Isn’t Safe

Shelter-in-place orders happen when the air outside is dangerous—chemical spills, hazardous smoke, airborne toxins, radiation alerts, or even police activity. This guide shows how to choose the right room, seal it effectively, and stay safe until officials say it’s clear to leave.

For situations where staying put might not be safe, compare this with Bug-In vs. Bug-Out Basics.

1. What Shelter-in-Place Really Means

It’s not “hiding.” It’s controlling your air and reducing exposure. When told to shelter in place:

• Stay indoors
• Close all windows and doors
• Stop outside air from coming in
• Wait for official instructions before moving

You’re creating a temporary safe-air environment until the threat passes.

2. Pick the Right Room

The best shelter room has:

• No exterior windows, or very few
• Interior walls for better protection
• Enough space for your household
• A door you can close tightly

Basements work well for radiation or storms, but any sealed interior room works for airborne hazards.

3. Seal the Room Properly

Your goal is to keep contaminated air outside. Seal:

• Doors (edges and bottom gap)
• Windows
• Vents and exhaust fans
• Fireplace dampers

Use plastic sheeting and duct tape if instructed by local officials.

4. Shut Down Airflow

Disable anything that pulls in outside air:

• HVAC systems
• Window A/C units
• Bathroom and kitchen fans
• Whole-house fans

Recirculating fans inside the room are fine.

5. Supplies You Should Have Ready

Shelter-in-place events usually last 1–6 hours, but sometimes longer. Keep in your kit:

• Bottled water
• Non-perishable snacks
• Flashlight
• Radio (battery or hand-crank)
• First aid kit
• Plastic sheeting and tape
• Charged power bank

If you haven’t built your main kit yet, start with the Basic Home Emergency Kit List.

6. Communication Matters

You need reliable information during airborne hazards. Use:

• Battery-powered radios for official updates
• Phone alerts if networks are working
• Local emergency broadcast stations

For stronger communication prep, see Communication During Emergencies.

7. When Shelter-in-Place Ends

Only leave when officials say so. After:

• Air out the house slowly
• Check for visible contamination before exiting
• Follow additional cleanup instructions if the event was chemical or radiological

Never leave early because “it seems fine outside.” Many hazards are invisible.

8. The Bottom Line

Shelter-in-place isn’t complicated—pick the right room, seal it well, shut down outside airflow, and monitor official instructions. It’s one of the simplest ways to protect your household from dangerous air conditions without needing special equipment.