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Seeking shelter

Man looking out the window
In certain emergency situations, you need to take shelter, for example in the event of a violent storm, flooding, chemical leak or heavy smoke...  By staying indoors, you ensure your own safety.

What does it mean to take shelter?

Taking shelter means entering and staying in the nearest building (your home, workplace or any other building) until the danger or risk has passed.

To help you get through this sheltering period as calmly as possible, it is important to put together an emergency kit. It is particularly useful to have one at home, but you can also have one at work, in your car, etc.

How do you know when to take shelter?

You will receive relevant instructions from the authorities (the municipalities concerned, provinces, police or rescue zone or National Crisis Center) via various channels such as:

  • BE-Alert
  • Websites
  • Social networks
  • Media (radio and television)
  • Mobile loudspeakers

In an emergency, always listen to the official communication channels.

How long do you need to take shelter?

The exact length of time you need to take shelter will depend on the specific situation, e.g. flood, severe storm, pandemic, toxic (smoke) cloud, etc. The authorities will inform you as soon as it is safe to go out again. So keep up to date via the official channels. 

Taking shelter is only a temporary measure. It can last from a few hours to a maximum of 72 hours. Has the situation not improved or even deteriorated after a few hours? You will then sometimes have to evacuate.

How do you take shelter at home or in a building?

  1. Stay indoors or take shelter in the nearest building. Stay inside until you are informed that it is safe to leave.
  2. Close all windows and doors. In certain emergency situations, we ask you to keep as much of the outside air out as possible, for example in the event of a chemical or nuclear accident. Disconnect all ventilation, heating and air-conditioning systems. Ideally find a place in a central room. Walls and ceilings offer better protection than windows. Close the outside air supply to your chimney. 
  3. Listen to the recommendations of the authorities. Inform yourself about the right measures via radio, TV, the official websites and social media.

How do you take shelter in your car?

  • If you are close to your home, workplace or a public building, enter immediately. Follow the same recommendations as above. 
  • If you cannot take shelter in the nearest building, park your vehicle in a safe place or follow a route perpendicular to the direction of the wind. 
  • Stop the engine, close the windows and turn off the air conditioning to prevent outside air from entering your vehicle. 
  • Listen to the radio to follow the recommendations of the authorities. 
  • Stay where you are until the authorities give you permission to leave again. Take into account the traffic (diversions, closed roads, etc.) and follow the instructions of the police.

What to do if your children are at school or crèche?

Have you been given instructions to take shelter while your children are at school, crèche, youth club, etc.? Leave them at school or crèche and do not collect them. This could create additional traffic jams and hamper the emergency services. Furthermore, you risk endangering yourself and your children. 

  • Are your children at school or crèche in the shelter zone? They will then follow the same recommendations, and teachers or supervisors will also make sure they take shelter. Schools and crèches will apply their internal emergency plans. 
  • Are you yourself in an area where you need to take shelter? Notify the school or crèche and ask them to look after the children until you can collect them, or ask a family member or acquaintance to pick them up. 

What to do with your pets?

Follow the specific instructions of the authorities concerning animals. 

  • If it is safe to do so, it is better to bring small pets indoors, such as cats and dogs. 
  • Do you have larger animals (horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, etc.)? Follow the specific instructions. Do not put yourself in unnecessary danger. 

Help each other

  • Inform the people in your immediate vicinity that they have to take shelter. Preferably via a network such as WhatsApp, Signal, Instagram, etc. Indeed, large volumes of calls run the risk of overloading the network. 
  • Have you seen other people who need a place to take shelter? Help each other and invite others to take shelter in your home.