Shelter-in-place drills must be held at least once or twice a year, depending on the specific regulations or recommendations of the institution or state. For example, some sources recommend conducting shelter-in-place drills twice per year during each shift of care, while others specify at least one shelter- in-place drill annually or at least twice per year as a minimum standard. Some states, such as Tennessee, require at least three safety drills that do not require full evacuation, including shelter-in-place drills, each school year. In summary:
- Twice per year during each shift of care is a strong recommendation.
- At least one shelter-in-place drill per year is often the minimum requirement.
- Some places require three non-evacuation safety drills annually, including shelter-in-place.
The exact number can vary by jurisdiction and organization policy, but generally, holding two shelter-in-place drills per year is common practice to ensure preparedness.
