Most of us are familiar with evacuation orders. When a wildfire, hurricane, or another emergency threatens our neighborhood, we’re told to pack up and get somewhere safe.
But what happens when emergency officials tell you to do the exact opposite?
Instead of leaving, you may be instructed to stay inside your home, close the windows, and avoid going outdoors until authorities say it’s safe. It’s called a shelter-in-place order, and depending on the emergency, leaving your house could put you in greater danger.
Why Would Authorities Tell You to Stay Home?
Authorities issue shelter-in-place orders when conditions outside make it safer to stay indoors. A chemical spill, hazardous gas release, or security incident could prompt officials to tell residents to stay inside. Certain severe weather emergencies may also require people to remain in a safe area of their homes.
These situations can leave households relying entirely on what they already have, especially when stores are closed, power is out, or deliveries are interrupted.
Unlike an evacuation, where the goal is to get somewhere safer, sheltering in place means staying put until conditions improve or officials provide different instructions.
What Should You Do During a Shelter-in-Place Order?
First, pay attention to instructions from local emergency officials, since the safest response depends on what’s happening outside.
For a hazardous chemical release, authorities may instruct residents to go indoors, close doors and windows, turn off ventilation systems that bring in outside air, and move into an interior room.
In some cases, officials may also recommend temporarily sealing windows, doors, and vents with plastic sheeting and tape. But those instructions don’t apply to every emergency. During a tornado warning, for example, you would generally move to a basement or small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
The important thing is to follow the specific instructions issued for your area rather than assume every shelter-in-place order works the same way.
Related: 21 Essential Emergency Supplies That Every Home Should Have Stocked
Your Emergency Go-Bag May Not Be Enough
An emergency go-bag helps when you need to evacuate, but sheltering in place requires different preparation, especially if the power goes out.
Make sure you have drinking water, nonperishable food that doesn’t require cooking, medications, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and a battery-powered radio. Charged power banks can also help you stay connected, while families with young children or pets may need additional supplies.
If electricity is unavailable, never use outdoor grills, camp stoves, or generators inside your home or garage because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. If hazardous air is the reason for the order, keep windows closed and follow local officials’ ventilation instructions.
The goal is to have everything your family needs without relying on electricity or a last-minute trip to the store.
Related: How to Prepare an Emergency Bug-Out Bag (For Any Situation)
How Long Could You Be Told to Stay Inside?
No single time limit exists for a shelter-in-place order. Some situations may resolve within a few hours, while others may require people to stay indoors longer.
That uncertainty is one reason having a few days of basic household supplies can be helpful.
Also make sure everyone in your household understands what sheltering in place means, including where to go in the home and how to receive emergency alerts.
And if authorities later issue an evacuation order, be prepared to follow those updated instructions.
It’s an Emergency Most Families Don’t Think About
When people talk about emergency preparedness, the conversation often centers on evacuation routes, packed bags, and getting out of danger. But sometimes the safest thing you can do is stay exactly where you are.
Knowing when to shelter in place, understanding instructions, and keeping a few essentials on hand can make an unexpected situation easier to manage.
If an emergency alert tells you not to leave your home, you probably don’t want to discover you’re missing something important.
