Emergency Urban Shelter Strategies

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 01

   Know your priority locations

   Parking garages provide multi-level wind and rain protection. Stairwells are insulated. Loading docks have overhangs. Highway overpasses block wind and rain. Identify these along your daily routes NOW, before you need them.

2. 02

   Use the space blanket cocoon

   Wrap yourself in an emergency space blanket, shiny side IN toward your body. It reflects 90% of body heat. Crinkle it around you loosely — air gaps improve insulation. In a stairwell or alcove, this setup can keep you alive in sub-zero temperatures.

3. 03

   Build a trash bag shelter

   Cut a contractor bag along two edges to form a large sheet. Duct tape two together for a bigger shelter. Drape over a gap between dumpsters, benches, or railings. Stuff the interior with crumpled newspaper or cardboard for insulation.

4. 04

   Insulate from the ground

   The ground steals body heat faster than air. Never lie directly on concrete or asphalt. Cardboard is the most available urban insulator — stack 4-5 layers. Foam packaging, carpet scraps, or even thick newspaper work. This single step prevents hypothermia.

5. 05

   Layer for warmth

   Stuff crumpled newspaper between clothing layers. It traps air and adds significant insulation. Cinch wrists, ankles, and neck openings tight to prevent convective heat loss. Cover your head — you lose disproportionate heat from your head and neck.