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Told to shelter in place: chemical spill, police activity or danger outside

Use when officials say to shelter in place or stay inside because of a chemical or gas spill, a train or truck accident, police activity, or another danger outdoors.

In danger right now: call 911. Crisis or thoughts of suicide: call or text 988. Not sure where to start? Call the Silver City Gospel Mission: 575-388-5071. Police, fire or sheriff, not an emergency: 575-388-8840 (Central Dispatch). Print our list of phone numbers → · Food pantry calendar → · Free meals calendar → · Getting there: bus and rides →
These are the same steps our staff use when they help someone. "They" means the person who needs help: you, or someone you are helping. Go in order, and call ahead when you can.
In this guide
  1. Get inside and stay inside
  2. Stay informed
  3. If someone feels sick

1Get inside and stay inside

Go inside the nearest building right away. If you are in a car, get to a building if you can. If not, close the windows and vents.
Close and lock all doors and windows.
For a chemical spill: turn off fans, heating and air conditioning, and close the fireplace damper.
Go to a room in the middle of the building, with few or no windows.
Bring a phone and charger, water, and any medicine.

2Stay informed

Listen to local radio, TV or alerts on your phone. Stay inside until officials say it's safe.
Grant County - TextMyGov alerts
Free text-message emergency alerts for Grant County
575-574-4607
Silver City · 24/7
Website ↗
Grant County Office of Emergency Management
County emergency management (fires, floods, evacuations)
575-574-0065
1400 Highway 180 E, Silver City · County office hours
Website ↗
Don't call 911 to ask what's happening. Keep 911 free for emergencies.
Grant County Regional Dispatch Authority
Non-emergency dispatch (police, sheriff, fire)
575-388-8840
Silver City · 24/7
Website ↗

3If someone feels sick

Burning eyes, coughing, trouble breathing or a strange taste or smell can mean a chemical is getting in.
911 (Grant County Regional Dispatch)
Emergency: police, fire, ambulance
911
Silver City · 24/7
New Mexico Poison and Drug Information Center (UNM)
Poison control
800-222-1222
· 24/7
Website ↗

More help like this

No heat, or it's dangerously cold or hotUse when someone has no heat at home, is outside in freezing weather or extreme heat, or can't pay for heating.Lost their home or belongings in a fire, flood or disasterUse after a house fire, flood, storm or evacuation when someone has lost their home, clothes or papers.Stuck outside in freezing cold or snow (hypothermia or frostbite)Use when someone is outside or stranded in freezing weather or a snowstorm, is shivering hard, confused or very sleepy from cold, or has numb, white or gray skin.Someone is sleeping outside in dangerous cold or heatUse when you see someone sleeping or staying outside during freezing nights, snow, or extreme heat, and you are worried they may get sick or die.A fire is burning in a home, building or camp right nowUse when a fire has started in a home, apartment, building, car, tent or camp and people need to get out and stay safe.Smells gas, or a carbon monoxide alarm is going offUse when someone smells gas (rotten eggs), hears hissing from a gas line, or a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, or people feel sick from a heater, stove or generator.

See all guides in Emergency and first aid →

This guide is general information only, not medical, legal or other professional advice. Places and rules change, so please call before you go. In an emergency, call 911; in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. Disclaimer

Know a better way? Is something out of date?

If a number or place here is wrong, you know a better resource, or you know a better way to help, tell us. We automatically check reliable sources and update supported routine details. Unclear changes and safety guidance go to our staff for review.

📞 We need volunteers to keep this guide up to date. You can help from home, an hour a week. See how →
Print these steps · Find more places to get help · Hours and numbers change; please call ahead. Something wrong? Tell us
Questions, or want someone to walk through this with you? The Silver City Gospel Mission, 111 S. Texas St., Silver City, 575-388-5071, weekdays 9:00am-1:45pm. Everyone is welcome.