Should I Leave or......Should I Shelter in Place?

The term “Shelter in Place” is one of the basic instructions that you may receive from public safety officials during a chemical emergency in Doña Ana County. This is especially likely if you live in close proximity to the I-10 or I-25 corridors or near a water or wastewater treatment facility. Sheltering in place offers you and your family immediate protection for a short time in your home, school, or business.

If you are told to shelter in place, take your children and pets indoors immediately.

The following general information is a guide on how you should respond before, during and after a chemical emergency. The Doña Ana County/ City of Las Cruces Emergency Management Agency can provide you with additional details.

A chemical emergency may occur anywhere hazardous materials are manufactured, stored or transported. Chemical plants are obvious sources of potential accidents. Less obvious are highways, railways, water and wastewater treatment plants and storage containers at places such as swimming pools (muriatic acid and chlorine).

Planning for an Emergency

• Study your surroundings for fixed and mobile sources of hazardous materials.
• Prepare a shelter-in-place kit appropriate for the types of emergencies that could occur near you. The kit should contain duct tape for sealing doors and windows; a battery operated AM/FM radio, flashlights with fresh batteries, bottled water, towels, toys for young children, first-aid kit, medicines and other items essential for your family’s survival. Check the kit every six months to make sure all the supplies are still there and in good working order. The room should have a telephone although you should use it only for emergency calls.
• Take a course in first-aid and CPR from the Southwestern New Mexico Chapter of the American Red Cross.
• Select a room in your home or business that has few or no windows as a place to shelter.
• Make sure that all family members know what to do in a chemical emergency, whether they are at home, school, work or outdoors.
• You are more likely to hear about a chemical emergency from radio, television or local law enforcement vehicles equipped with loudspeakers.

During An Emergency

• Immediately take your family members and pets to the room that you have chosen as a shelter.
• If your children are at school, they will be safe there. Schools have emergency plans of their own.
• Shut off heating, cooling and fans that draw in air from the outdoors. If you have a fireplace, close the damper.
• Shut and lock doors and windows. Locking makes a better seal. Seal cracks around doors and windows with duct tape.
• Turn on a radio station that broadcasts emergency information. KRWG 90.7FM is the designated Emergency Alert Station for Doña Ana County. Stay tuned until the “all clear” message is given.
• Be prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so and conditions warrant. Evacuation instructions will be announced via the Emergency Alert System (EAS).
• When you hear the “all clear” message, you should:

After the Emergency

• Open all doors and windows.
• Turn on the heating/cooling system to ventilate the house.
• Go outside