Improvised Shelter & Safe Houses

In times of crisis—be it civil unrest, natural disasters, or large-scale emergencies—securing a place to remain safe and unseen is vital. Urban environments present unique challenges for those looking to survive, evade detection, and establish a secure shelter or safe house. This article explores various methods and considerations for finding or creating improvised shelters in city settings. It also explains the concept of safe houses—what they are, how they differ from basic shelter, and best practices for maintaining them. All information in this post is drawn from reliable, verifiable sources to help you stay informed and prepared.

The Importance of Shelter

In survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) scenarios, the first steps often revolve around securing the basics of human survival: air, water, shelter, and food. While water and food shortages can be life-threatening over time, immediate threats—such as exposure to harsh conditions or violence—often underscore the priority of finding or creating a shelter immediately.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), “Identifying shelter-in-place locations is an important part of emergency planning,” emphasizing the critical need for secure shelter during disasters or other threats 11. The ideal urban shelter provides cover from the elements and a place to conceal your presence when avoidance of potential aggressors is necessary. It should also be located in an area with relatively safe access to resources such as water and, if possible, basic medical supplies.

Characteristics of an Effective Urban Shelter

When considering a space for shelter in an urban crisis, keep in mind these essential characteristics:

1. Concealment: Remain inconspicuous. Areas in low-profile neighborhoods, behind large structures, or simply in abandoned buildings can offer concealment.

2. Structural Integrity: A collapsed or unstable building can pose significant risks. The American Red Cross suggests that during emergencies, “Seek interior, structurally sound locations” for personal safety 22.

3. Access to Exits: In case of a sudden threat or fire, having at least two points of entry and exit can save your life. This is especially important if civil unrest escalates quickly.

4. Low Traffic and Visibility: Busy neighborhoods or active looting zones are generally unsafe. Look for areas with minimal foot traffic or known conflict.

5. Proximity to Resources: If possible, situate your shelter within a short distance of safe water sources or areas where you can forage for food and medical items.

Types of Improvised Urban Shelters

In an urban setting, the variety of potential shelters differs from the wilderness. While a quick tarp shelter in a forest might suffice in rural areas, cities offer more built structures to adapt.

Public Buildings or Office Spaces

Government offices, schools, or commercial buildings often have multiple rooms that can be repurposed as temporary shelters. If these structures are relatively intact and abandoned during a crisis, they can offer solid walls, indoor plumbing (if water is still flowing), and safety from the elements. However, these buildings might also be prime looting targets. Properly assess the security situation before committing.

Basements and Parking Garages

Basements can be excellent improvised shelters due to their typically robust construction. Parking garages often have concrete pillars and multiple levels, providing overhead cover and a wide field of view. On the downside, they can also feel like a maze and may have limited natural light or ventilation.

Rooftops

Rooftops can serve as temporary shelters, although they are better suited for short stays, reconnaissance, or evasion. They offer visibility over an area, but they also leave you exposed to the elements. Some commercial rooftops contain storage sheds or mechanical rooms that might serve as hiding spots.

Abandoned Homes and Apartments

In large-scale emergencies, certain neighborhoods might be evacuated. The U.S.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommends that if an evacuation is mandated, one should always follow official instructions 33. However, if you have no other options, vacant homes or apartments can provide both cover and basic utilities if they remain operational. Always thoroughly check for structural damage, hazardous materials, or compromised safety due to other squatters or criminal activity.

Makeshift Shelters Using Debris

In extreme cases where solid structures are not available, debris can be used to create a makeshift shelter. Plywood, doors, and other scavenged materials can be set up against walls or piles of rubble. While not as reliable as proper buildings, a makeshift shelter can provide a place to sleep that is concealed from direct view, especially if built against alleyway walls or within a larger damaged structure.

What is a Safe House?

A safe house is a location specially prepared and designated to provide a secure refuge. Historically, safe houses have been used by various organizations—underground movements, intelligence services, and even families protecting fugitives or those at risk during conflicts. In the context of urban SERE, a safe house is a fallback location that you know well. It contains or can be stocked with critical supplies, has controlled access, and is typically not easily discovered by outsiders.

Criteria for a Safe House

A safe house differs from simple improvised shelter in several ways:

1. Preparation: Safe houses are often pre-planned. You might stockpile basic food, bottled water, medical kits, and tools for prolonged stays.

2. Security and Stealth: Safe houses frequently feature reinforced doors, barred windows, and an inconspicuous exterior.

3. Communication Capabilities: Secure or silent communication methods (e.g., shortwave radio, hidden phone lines) may be set up within.

4. Multiple Entry/Exit Points: These allow for quick escape should one exit be compromised.

5. Established Rules of Secrecy: Anyone who knows the location must keep it confidential to avoid compromising its security.

As FEMA points out, it is crucial to have “predetermined meeting places” with family or group members as part of comprehensive emergency plans 11. In an urban SERE context, a safe house is simply the more fortified extension of that principle.

Establishing and Maintaining a Safe House

Location

Choose a structure discreetly situated yet accessible enough for you to reach during turmoil. It might be a small apartment on the edge of the city, an old warehouse corner, or a friend’s basement in a quieter part of town.

Cover Story

If you own or frequently visit the building in times of peace, establish a mundane cover story. For example, if it’s an empty apartment, keep it looking used by placing minimal but believable items (furniture, a few dishes). The more ordinary it appears, the less likely it is to draw attention.

Supply Stockpiling

Store dry and canned foods, bottled water, and first-aid supplies. The Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends keeping “at least a 3-day supply of nonperishable food and water,” but in prolonged crisis scenarios, aim for more 44. Rotate these supplies every few months to ensure freshness.

Security Upgrades

Take steps like reinforcing doors and using high-quality locks. If possible, install hidden compartments for valuables. If electricity is still active, consider using motion-activated lights on the exterior or inside entryways. However, remain aware that lighting can draw unwanted attention during power outages in a larger disaster.

Basic Utilities

If you anticipate long stays, ensure there is a method to deal with waste disposal (e.g., portable toilet or improvised waste system) and a plan for cooking if natural gas or electricity is unavailable. Ventilation is essential if you’re using any form of open flame or generator.

Practical Tips and Security Measures

Blend In

During civil unrest, large gatherings or militarized zones will attract scrutiny. Wearing low-key attire and minimizing noticeable behavior can help you move about without drawing attention to your final destination.

Maintain Silence

Noise discipline is paramount in an urban SERE situation. Avoid loud conversations, banging doors, or any other sounds that could give away your location. If you must generate noise, do so during high-activity hours when it blends with ambient city sounds.

Limit Technology Footprints

In times of crisis, electronic devices can be tracked or signal your location. If privacy is crucial, power off smartphones or keep them in airplane mode unless actively using them to gather important information. As FEMA advises, “Use text messages, social media, or email to get the word out quickly about your safety” but also be mindful of what data might be tracked 11.

Defensive Measures

While a safe house should never become a fortress that visually screams “protected shelter,” modest defensive preparations can deter threats. A well-reinforced door, a discrete alarm system, and the presence of a dog (if feasible) are examples. Keep in mind that overt signs of defense (e.g., visible barricades, obviously locked gates) might make others suspect you have valuable supplies.

Keep it Clean

Hygiene and sanitation are often overlooked in survival scenarios. Improvised shelters may not have running water or waste management options. Stock disinfectants, bleach tablets (for water purification), and maintain a clean environment to prevent disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), even in dire circumstances, “basic hygiene measures are critical in preventing transmission of common infectious agents” 55.

Final Thoughts

Urban SERE situations demand that individuals adapt quickly to dynamic environments. The importance of securing a reliable, inconspicuous shelter cannot be overstated. Whether you’re rigging a makeshift space in a crumbling building or fortifying a pre-planned safe house, the essentials remain the same: prioritize stealth, structural safety, resource availability, and contingency planning. Remember that the best defense in a crisis is often the ability to remain unnoticed, well-prepared, and agile enough to change locations if a situation deteriorates.

Above all, none of these measures should substitute for heeding official warnings and evacuation orders when circumstances demand. Knowing the principles of urban shelter and safe house preparation can, however, grant you a critical edge in survival—one that might be the difference between safety and vulnerability in times of chaos.

9. References

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Plan Ahead for Disasters.” FEMA, https://www.ready.gov/plan.

2. American Red Cross. “Shelter-in-Place.” American Red Cross, https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/shelter-in-place.html.

3. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “Evacuations & Shelter.” DHS, https://www.dhs.gov/evacuations.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Emergency Food and Water Supplies.” CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/index.html.

5. World Health Organization (WHO). “Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Waste Management for the COVID-19 Virus.” WHO, https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/water-sanitation-hygiene-and-waste-management-for-covid-19.