Some emergencies will require residents to stay where they are. Directions to do so may be communicated by authorities as shelter-in-place, hold and secure or lockdown. It is important to understand that there are subtle differences in what these terms mean and what you should do.
Shelter-in-place
Direction to shelter-in-place is often used when a hazardous contaminant (e.g. hazardous airborne chemical) or environmental threat (e.g. extreme weather) is present outside and it is not possible or advisable to evacuate the building you are in.
| Shelter-in-place Instructions for Hazardous Material Incidents |
- Go inside and close all windows and exterior doors.
- If there is a danger of explosion, close the window blinds.
- Turn off all fans, heating and air conditioning systems. Close fireplace dampers.
- Get your emergency kit and turn on the radio.
- Go to an interior room without windows that is above-ground level, if you can. Because some chemicals are heavier than air, avoid sheltering in basements.
- Cell phones may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency. It is ideal to have a hard-wired telephone in the room you select. If you do not have a hard-wired telephone, bring your cell phone and charger to ensure you have a method to communicate. Call your emergency contact and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition.
- Bring your pets with you and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
- Use duct tape and plastic sheeting (heavier than food wrap) to seal all cracks around the door and any vents into the room. A wet towel can also be used to create a seal along doors and windows.
- Monitor media until you are told by local officials all is safe or you are told to evacuate.
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Hold and Secure
Direction to hold and secure may be used when a serious criminal threat (e.g. nearby crime in progress, police pursuit, police search in area nearby) is present in the vicinity (e.g. local neighbourhood) but not on or very close to the property of the persons receiving this direction. This involves enacting measures to prevent individuals from leaving the building and entering into an area of danger, or to prevent the threat from entering the building. Typically, activities within the building can continue as normal.
| Hold and Secure Instructions |
- Listen to instructions from emergency responders or building security staff.
- Proceed inside the building (if not already inside).
- Close and secure exterior doors.
- Close windows and blinds.
- Turn off lights.
- Keep away from exterior doors and windows.
- Encourage people to remain inside the building until the threat has passed.
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Lockdown
Typically practiced and applied in institutional settings, directions to lockdown may be used when the threat is near or already in the building and measures need to be enacted to prevent the threat from accessing areas within the building where potential victims are or may be, or to protect individuals from entering areas where the threat may be present. Lockdown can be used when applying the hide action in the run, hide, defend sequence in response to an active threat (i.e. person with a weapon inside the building).
| Lockdown Instructions |
- Listen to instructions from emergency responders or building security.
- Move to a safe area.
- Close and lock doors and windows. Barricade doors with furniture or wedges if unable to lock them.
- Turn off lights.
- Keep away from doors and windows.
- Try to hide behind something solid.
- Remain silent. Be sure to silence cell phones.
- Lie on the floor if gunshots are heard.
- Call 9-1-1 if it is safe to do so and if you have information such as location of attacker.
- Do not open the door for anyone unless you have a plan in place to protect yourself and others from the potential threat. If you open the door, you may be placing others in danger. Police and security staff will announce their entry. If still uncertain and safe to do so, you can confirm police presence by calling 9-1-1.
- Remain in the lockdown response until police or security staff have directed you to do otherwise.
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