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Household preparation

Choosing whether to shelter or leave

Use this when: You need to decide whether staying inside or moving away will reduce immediate danger.

Current official instructions for your area take priority. UK Ready is an independent information site, not a government service. This guide is written from the official sources listed below; it has not yet had a specialist review. Sources checked 13 October 2026.

ACTION SUMMARY

  1. 1Identify the danger nearest to you. Fire or gas inside your building requires a different response from a hazardous cloud outside.
  2. 2Follow a current instruction for your location if one is available.
  3. 3If the danger is inside, use a safe escape route.
  4. 4If radiation or a chemical release is outside and you are told to shelter, get into the nearest suitable building.
  5. 5If you are instructed to evacuate, follow the specified route and destination.

In detail

First actions

  1. Identify the danger nearest to you. Fire or gas inside your building requires a different response from a hazardous cloud outside.
  2. Follow a current instruction for your location if one is available. Check the issuing organisation, affected area and time.
  3. If the danger is inside, use a safe escape route. If you cannot escape safely, call 999 and describe exactly where you are.
  4. If radiation or a chemical release is outside and you are told to shelter, get into the nearest suitable building. Avoid travelling home just to shelter there.
  5. If you are instructed to evacuate, follow the specified route and destination. Ask for help early if you cannot travel independently.
SituationImmediate directionImportant condition
Weapons attack nearbyEscape if safe or hide and call police when safeUse Run Hide Tell rather than a household shelter checklist
Fire or smoke in your homeFollow your escape plan and call 999Never enter a smoke-filled route; flats have building-specific arrangements
Suspected gas or carbon monoxide insideGet to fresh air and obtain emergency adviceCall from a safe place; avoid sparks or flames
Radiation outsideGo indoors and follow local sheltering adviceMove to a safer nearby shelter if the building is burning or unstable
External chemical releaseShelter as instructed and reduce air entering from outsideMove away first if you are at the release; do not shelter in its source building
Flood approachingFollow warnings and evacuation instructionsAvoid basements and never walk or drive through floodwater
Extended power cutAssess water warmth medicines and communicationsPlan a safe supported move before essential needs become critical

A shelter should protect you from the actual hazard and remain habitable. An underground room is unsuitable if it is flooding, full of smoke or structurally unsafe. Never make one general rule override these dangers. If two official messages appear inconsistent, check their areas and timestamps and seek clarification from the issuing service when possible.

Prepare now: Discuss safe rooms and exits, an accessible alternative place to stay, and how to move someone who depends on a lift or medical equipment. These are household planning recommendations, not a promise of assistance or a safe evacuation route during every incident.

Official sources

This guidance is an editorial explanation of official UK advice. Always follow instructions from the authorities.

Adapted Crown copyright material is used under the Open Government Licence v3.0. No government endorsement is implied.

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