November 19, 2009
Disaster tip of the month: Creating a ‘safe room’ in your home
Editor’s note: The Emergency Management Division of the Washington Military Department is offering a tip a month to help people get prepared for a disaster. University Week will carry these monthly tips.
November’s tip has to do with creating a “safe room” in your home. A safe room is defined as a room that easily and quickly can be sealed to protect you from airborne agents, and that has a few supplies to get you through the hours that you will need to stay inside it. A master bedroom with attached bath is ideal for this purpose.
To prepare a safe room:
- Purchase plastic sheeting and cloth tape or duct tape.
- Pre-cut the plastic to fit all windows, vents and doors fo the room, and label each piece.
- Create a box or container to hold the pre-cut plastic and tape, along with a battery powered AM/FM radio, extra batteries, some snack food, some water, and some towels and blankets. Store this box in your safe room.
If an emergency with airborne contaminants arises, follow these steps:
- Go inside immediately, and take your pets.
- Tightly lock all doors and windows
- Shut off fans and devices that circulate air throughout your home.
- Go to your pre-selected room and seal it tightly.
- Listen to the radio for instructions
- Thoroughly air out your home once the emergency is over.
Click here to download a PDF with this information.
Click here to go to the UW’s Emergency Management Web site.
