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Essentials

Emergency shelter, heating and cooling

Shelter protects people only when the building, air, temperature and location remain safe. A plan needs options for staying, leaving and using a smaller safe area within the home.

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From AidWorkers Humanitarian experience applied at homeEvidence base 4 named sourcesReviewed 25 July 2026

Why this matters

Identify structural, fire, flood, ventilation and temperature risks around the home. Know how to turn off utilities only when authorities or utility providers advise it, and never enter a damaged building that has not been declared safe.

For outages, plan to concentrate people in a safe room without blocking exits or creating carbon-monoxide risk. For evacuation, identify accessible alternatives such as family, public shelter or accommodation that accepts animals and equipment.

Before disruption

Prepare now

  • Choose the safest practical room for heat, cold, storms and short shelter-in-place instructions.
  • Maintain smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, exits, locks and any approved fire equipment.
  • Keep layered clothing, bedding, shade, hydration supplies and safe temperature monitoring available.
  • Know accessible evacuation routes from every sleeping and living area.
  • Identify at least two temporary places that could meet health, access and animal needs.

When it is happening

Protect the next decision

  1. Leave immediately if authorities direct evacuation or the building has fire, gas or structural danger.
  2. Move people away from damaged walls, floodwater, broken glass and unstable objects.
  3. Use layers, shade, airflow and safe hydration according to conditions and health advice.
  4. Seek medical help for signs of heat illness, hypothermia, carbon-monoxide exposure or worsening health.

Plan for real people

Access, care and inclusion

  • Some medicines and health conditions change temperature tolerance or sweating.
  • Plan safe transfers, charging, bedding and space for mobility or respiratory equipment.
  • Consider sensory distress, privacy, gender, safeguarding and quiet space in communal shelter.
  • Check on people who live alone, cannot sense temperature well or depend on powered heating and cooling.

Mental readiness

Protect morale and clear thinking

  • Create a small comfort zone with familiar bedding, lighting and low-noise activities.
  • Keep a simple day and night routine even if several people share one room.
  • Explain unfamiliar shelter sounds and rules to children and anyone who benefits from predictability.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

  • Heating a room with an oven, barbecue, generator or unapproved fuel-burning device.
  • Blocking exits, alarms or ventilation in an attempt to conserve heat.
  • Remaining in a damaged or contaminated building because supplies are stored there.

Evidence and review

Sources behind this guide

Prepare Now uses authoritative government, humanitarian and public-health material as a starting point. Source advice can be specific to a country, hazard or date, so check the current version for your location.

Continue preparing

Air & breathingPrepare for smoke, dust, poor ventilation, airborne illness and instructions to shelter indoors.Power & lightingProtect essential devices, use safer light, manage batteries and avoid generator and charging hazards.Evacuation & grab bagsDecide when and how to leave, where to go and what each person can realistically carry.

Editorial status: first staging edition. Safety-critical instructions will receive specialist and jurisdiction review before public launch.