Guidelines for Staying Safe at a Disaster Shelter | Natural Disasters

Steps to take

Protect your health and avoid germs.

• Stay clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and clean water are not available.
• Don’t share food, drinks, bedding, or personal items, if possible.
• Clean surfaces in your space using disinfectant wipes, if available.
• Stay hydrated and eat food from safe sources to stay healthy. Only drink water provided by the shelter or marked safe to drink.
• Wear a well-fitting mask for extra protection.
• Let shelter staff know if you’re feeling sick or have been around someone who is sick.

Manage medical conditions and medication.

• Share emergency contact information with shelter staff and with people you trust.
• Tell shelter staff if you’re pregnant or have health issues (like diabetes, allergies, asthma, or others) so they can help with any personal needs, including medical equipment.
• Tell someone you trust or shelter staff what medications you take so they can help in an emergency. If you don’t have your medications with you, they might be able to help you get the medicines you need.

Follow tips for better sleep.

• If you have earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, they can help block out noise. Ask shelter staff if earplugs are available.
• Avoid caffeine and electronic screens before bed.
• Try relaxing activities, like deep breathing or using headphones to listen to calming music, to help you unwind.

Take care of your mental health.

• It’s okay to feel stressed, sad, or overwhelmed. Talk with people like family, friends, shelter staff, or other shelter residents about how you’re feeling.
• Do gentle exercises, like walking or stretching, to help relax and feel better.
• Ask for help when needed. Small steps to care for yourself make a big difference.

Help children cope and stay safe in the shelter.

• Keep a close eye on your children.
• Stay calm and reassure them. Let them talk about their feelings.
• Talk to them about what is happening. Explain things in a way children can understand.
• Give them activities to stay busy, like games or coloring books.

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