Hazardous weather (tornados, high winds, severe storms, ice storms)
Harm outdoors (chemical spills, flooding, bio-hazards)

Hazardous weather

Hazardous weather conditions can occur suddenly and without prior warning. The following instructions are provided to guide you to safety should you receive warning, or conditions become threatening..

• Immediately prepare to take cover.
• Gather flashlights, portable radios, or other items that you may need.
• Move quickly to a designated shelter area (see map) or to an interior room, hallway, restroom or closet with limited windows. Try to avoid areas that have expansive, unsupported ceilings, and hallways that can become wind tunnels.
• Use the stairs. Do not use elevators. Assist others including the disabled that may need assistance with seeking shelter.
• When you’ve reached shelter, try to stay close to the floor. Assume a seated position and cover your head and face (use your coat or other clothing to help protect from flying glass or debris).
• Stay alert for changing conditions.
  • Threat lessens -- return to workstations and resume normal activities.
  • Threat increases -- seek better shelter, make alternate escape or long-term sheltering plan

Harm Outdoors

Circumstances may occur that will cause your building’s occupants to have to temporarily ‘in-place shelter’ from chemical releases or other toxic conditions. ‘In-place sheltering’ simply means staying inside the building you are in and is usually your best defense. If your building is notified to “remain sheltered,” all occupants need to take the following steps:

• Immediately close and lock all windows and exterior doors. Close as many internal doors as possible.
• Shut off all ventilation systems, furnaces, air-conditioners, fans, fireplace dampers, dryer vents, etc., that connects to outside air. (Ventilation systems may be set to 100 percent re-circulation.) Do not turn on ceiling ventilators when using restroom.
• Use cloth, towels, newspapers, plastic sheeting, wax paper, aluminum foil, etc., to fill in any cracks that allow outside air to enter.
• Close any curtains or blinds to protect yourself against any possible explosion from the outside. Stay away from windows and glass doors.
• Follow the instructions of your building's emergency response team or emergency personnel.
• Gather flashlights, portable radios, in case the power has to be shut off.
• Do not smoke, use kitchen stoves, coffee pots, toasters, or any items that might ignite fumes. Be “spark” conscious. Minimize the use of elevators, as they ‘pump’ outdoor air inside.
• If vapors begin to bother you, hold a wet cloth over your nose and mouth. For a higher degree of protection, go into the bathroom and turn on the shower in a strong spray to “wash” the air. Seal any opening to the outside of the bathroom as best you can. Do not worry about running out of air to breathe, as this is very unlikely in buildings or homes.
• Be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Have your personal items collected and ready, including keys, purses, coats, protective clothing.
• If instructed to evacuate, do so immediately, following instructions from your building's emergency response team representative.