• Remain calm and be patient.
• Follow the advice of local emergency officials.
• Listen to your radio or television for news and instructions.
• If the disaster occurs near your home while you are there, check for damage using a flashlight. Do not light matches or candles or turn on electrical switches. Check for fires, fire hazards and other household hazards.
• Confine or secure your pets.
• Call your family contact but do not use the telephone again unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

People who may have come into contact with a biological or chemical agent may need to go through a decontamination procedure and receive medical attention. Listen to the advice of local officials on the radio or television to determine what steps you will need to take to protect yourself and your family. As emergency services will likely be overwhelmed, only call 9-1-1 about life-threatening emergencies.

Evacuation

If local authorities ask you to leave your home, they have a good reason to make this request, and you should heed the advice immediately. Listen to your radio or television and follow the instructions of local emergency officials and keep these simple tips in mind:

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes so you can be protected as much as possible.
• Take your disaster supplies kit.
• Take your pets with you. Because pets are not permitted in public shelters, follow your plan to go to a relative's or friend's home, or find a "pet-friendly" hotel.
• Lock your home.
• Use travel routes specified by local authorities. Don't use shortcuts because certain areas may be impassable or dangerous.
• Listen to local authorities.

Shelter-in-Place

If you are advised by local officials to "shelter in place," what they mean is for you to remain inside your home or office and protect yourself there.

• Close and lock all windows and exterior doors.
• Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close the fireplace damper.
• Get your disaster supplies kit, and make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that's above ground level.
• Using duct tape, seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room.
• Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.
• Local officials may call for evacuation in specific areas at greatest risk in your community.