Shelter In Place

When you receive a Campus Alert, you can visit www.malone.edu/emergency for the latest information.

Shelter-in-place means finding a safe location indoors and staying there until you are given an “all clear” or told to evacuate. You may be asked to shelter in place because of an active aggressor; tornado; or biological, chemical, or other hazard.

If shelter-in-place instructions are issued, all students and employees should:

• Find a safe location indoors; remain in place, wherever you are on campus
• Not drive or walk outside
• Quickly lock exterior doors and close windows and air vents
• If possible, notify your emergency contact of your location and that you are safe
• Close window shades, blinds, or curtains, if there is danger of explosion
• Await instructions from Campus Safety, police or local law enforcement agencies

Tips: 

• Think ahead of time when you are in buildings, where you would go in an emergency.
• Think of what you might need (food, water, and medication) if the shelter-in-place notice lasts many hours.
• You may want to have essential disaster supplies in a bag on hand, such as nonperishable food, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, duct tape, and plastic garbage bags 

EVALUATE

In an active aggressor situation: determine whether you need to barricade yourself.

Tips:

Does the door lock? Test the lock. Know if the door opens outward or inward. Is there furniture nearby that you can use to barricade the door? If there are windows, can you close or block windows?

In a severe weather event: the rule of thumb is to put as many walls between you and the outdoors as possible and head to the lowest floor possible. The basement is an ideal location.

RESPOND

• Stay calm. 
• Proceed to a location that can be secured, and lock or secure the door. If necessary, move something in front of the door to ensure it cannot be forced open.
• Turn off all lights, silence all phones, and wait for further instructions. Instruction will come via e-mail or text, so keep your silenced phone nearby.
• Do not open the door until instructed by responding authorities.
• Remember: contact Canton Police or 911 if you feel that your safety is in jeopardy
• Wait in the safest location possible until you are given the “all clear” or told to evacuate.
• During an active aggressor situation, the University will “lock-down” all exterior doors.