Sheltering in Place

Severe weather

When you are at home

• Bring everyone indoors, including pets.
• Get your emergency kit; gather a cell phone and charger.
• Everyone, including pets, should take shelter below ground in a small windowless room in the middle of your home with no exterior doors, like a basement bathroom. If a room below ground is not available, take shelter in a small room in the middle of the main floor, such as a bathroom, closet or under a heavy table or stairwell.
• Listen to radio or TV and check the Alberta Emergency Alert app until you’re told the danger has passed or you’re told to evacuate.
• Contact your emergency contact to notify them of the situation.

When you are in a vehicle, RV or mobile home

• Find shelter in a nearby building with a solid foundation, if possible.
• If you can’t shelter in a nearby building, shelter in your vehicle.
• Close all windows, turn on your headlights and look for a safe location to park. Avoid parking near trees, power lines, on bridges or under overpasses due to risk of flooding and high winds.
• Turn on the hazard lights and turn off the engine.
• Fasten your seatbelt, protect your head and neck and get below the window as much as possible.
• Contact your emergency contact to notify them of the situation.
• In extreme cold temperatures, you may need to run the vehicle occasionally to stay warm. Make sure to check that your tail pipe is not blocked and open a window for airflow.
• Do not attempt to drive away or exit your vehicle until you know it is safe. Listen to authorities for direction.

When you are in a multi-level building

• In a multi-level building, take shelter in a hallway, room, or stairwell in the middle of the building or, if available, on the main floor or an underground parking garage.
• Listen to radio or TV and check the Alberta Emergency Alert app until you’re told the danger has passed or you’re told to evacuate.
• Contact your emergency contact to notify them of the situation.

When you are outside without shelter

• Cover your head and neck with your arms to protect yourself from flying debris or hail.
• Go to a low-lying area such as a gutter, ravine or value. Lie down flat and be ready to move in case of flooding.
• Avoid areas that may attract lightning such as standing water, metal, mobile equipment, power lines and trees.
• Do not shelter under bridges or overpasses due to risk of flooding and high winds.

Farm animals and livestock in a building

Do the following only if it is safe for you to do so:

• Never leave any animal tied up or constrained if you are leaving the area without them.
• Keep animals inside if at risk from extreme cold, hail and lightning.
• Leave a minimum of 72 hours of feed and water that does not need power to function (for example, electric waterers).
• If possible, confine animals to multiple shelters. Creating space for them will help to keep them safe. If their space is too small, it can lead to aggressive behaviour or spread disease.
• Cover barn windows with material to protect them from broken glass and other threats.

Farm animals and livestock out to pasture

Do the following only if it is safe for you to do so:

• Leave a minimum of 72 hours of feed and water that does not need power to function (for example, electric waterers).
• Ensure animals have a visual identifier. Use a semipermanent livestock marker to put your cell number or a unique mark on their bodies.
• Open gates or reroute fencing to create a large area for unrestricted movement.
• Ensure access to high ground in case of flooding.
• Keep barn doors closed to prevent animals from going back inside where they can become trapped.
• Remove equipment and debris that could be picked up and thrown around by strong winds.
• Ensure handling equipment and tools are readily available for first responders to free animals if they become trapped.
• Connect with your emergency contacts about care and feeding for the animals

Hazardous Air Quality

When you are at home

• Bring everyone indoors, including pets.
• Get your emergency kit; gather a cell phone and charger.
• Close and lock windows and exterior doors.
• Close window shades, blinds and/or curtains.
• Stop your home from exchanging inside air with outside area by turning off fans, furnaces, air conditioners and air exchange units.
• Do not use a clothes dryer or fireplace, and close all vents and dampers.
• Town off the main electrical power breaker and pilot lights on stoves and furnaces.
• Everyone, including pets, should take shelter in an above-ground room in the middle of your home with no windows or exterior doors. Above-ground locations are safer as some chemicals are heavier than air and seep into basements even if windows are closed.
• Close all doors in your home to create additional barriers between you and the threat.
• Use duct tape and plastic sheeting, or wet towels, to seal cracks around doors and vents.
• Listen to radio or TV and check the Alberta Emergency Alert app until you’re told the danger has passed or you’re told to evacuate.
• Contact your emergency contact to notify them of the situation.

When you are in a vehicle

• Close all windows and vents.
• Shut off the heater or air conditioner.
• If you cannot safely drive away from the area, pull over to the safest location as soon as possible.
• Turn off the engine and turn on the hazard lights. Some types of hazardous air can ignite causing fire or explosion.
• Avoid parking under overpasses or low-lying areas. If the hazardous air contains gasses heavier than air, you put yourself at risk.
• If possible, seal all windows and vents with duct tape or use wet fabrics like blankets and clothing.

When you are outside without shelter

• If you cannot get indoors, immediately move away from the area.
• If you know which way the wind is blowing, move at a 90-degree angle away from the direction the wind is blowing.
• Use clothing to create a face mask to filter the air.
• If possible, wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes, and do not rub or touch your eyes.

Farm animals and livestock

Do the following only if it is safe for you to do so:

• Never leave any animal tied up or constrained if you are leaving the area without them.
• Keep animals inside if at risk from extreme cold, hail and lightning.
• Leave a minimum of 72 hours of feed and water that does not need power to function (for example, electric waterers).
• If possible, confine animals to multiple shelters. Creating space for them will help to keep them safe. If their space is too small, it can lead to aggressive behaviour or spread disease.