2023-05-01 Sheltering

CIVIC Ready. Be sure to stay safe and informed by receiving notifications and alerts from the 

Village of Chatham. Formerly eLerts, our new system allows you to better manage which alerts and 

notifications you receive. You can customize what notifications you receive through email, text, or 

phone call. We have a variety of groups you can join to get notifications about emergencies, 

advisories, and other events. You can get started at this link: 

Shelter Sheltering is appropriate when conditions require that you seek protection in your home, 

where you work or other location when other emergencies arise. The length of time you are required 

to take shelter may be short, such as during a tornado warning, or during a pandemic. In all cases, 

it is important that you stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities. During 

extended periods of sheltering you will need to manage water and food supplies to make sure you and 

your family have what you need to get by.

 

Plan ahead. Designate a safe space in your home, apartment, and/or work place to shelter during 

severe weather or an emergency event. Ideally, the basement is your best choice. If you do not have 

a basement, select an interior room on the main floor of your home and/or office building, away 

from exterior windows and other harmful materials. It is important to identify, plan, and 

communicate your designated safe place to family members and/or co-workers.

 

Choosing to take shelter is necessary in many emergencies. This can mean: Stay-At-Home, Going to a 

Mass Care Shelter, or Sheltering in Place. Here’s the distinction:

 

Mass Care Shelter Mass care shelters provide life sustaining services to disaster survivors. Even 

though mass care shelters often provide water, food, medicine and basic sanitary facilities, you 

should plan to take your emergency supply kit with you so you will have the supplies you need. Mass 

care sheltering can involve living with many people in a confined space, which can be difficult and 

unpleasant.

 

•  Be prepared to take cleaning items with you like, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes or 

general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces.

•  All shelters accept service animals, but many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets 

inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen.

 

Search for open shelters by texting SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. Example: Shelter 01234 

(standard rates apply). Learn more by visiting: http://www.disasterassistance.gov/.

 

Sheltering in Place Whether you are at home, work or anywhere else you frequent regularly, there 

may be situations when it's best to stay where you are and avoid any uncertainty outside. Use 

common sense and available information to assess the situation and determine if there is immediate 

danger. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly 

contaminated you may want to take this kind of action. Here are some tips for sheltering in place:

 

•  Local authorities may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and 

what you should do. Pay attention to local media outlets for official news and instructions as they 

become available.

•  Bring your family and pets inside.