International tensions and conflict tell us that a nuclear threat is possible. What do we do? How do we prepare? What do we need to know?
There are 3 time periods you need to prepare for – the first 15 minutes, the first 48 hours, and the first 2 weeks after a nuclear attack. How you prepare for those 3 time periods will have a great effect on the future quality of your life.
The first 15 minutes
If a nuclear explosion occurs at a relatively close distance but not in your immediate vicinity, the radioactive fallout will take about 15 minutes to reach the ground. That is the amount of time you have to take shelter even if you are in a vehicle. You should
- Turn away from the explosion.
- Cover your eyes to avoid temporary blindness by the light.
- Travel upwind unless that is the direction of the explosion.
- Look for a brick or concrete shelter.
- Close and avoid windows.
- Turn off air conditioners and furnaces that bring outside air inside.
- Go to a basement, if one is available, or move to the center of the building on a lower floor.
The first 48 hours
- Shower with warm water and soap (contaminated water is safe for showering), or
- Gently wipe off exposed skin (but not with disinfectant wipes) to remove possible radiation particles.
- If it took longer than 15 minutes to find shelter, remove contaminated clothing and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Put contaminated clothing and any cloths or tissues used to clean your body or food containers in a plastic bag and close it. Place the bag out of the way.
- Stay in the shelter for at least 24 hours, preferably 48 hours.
- Wipe off and wash closed containers of food before opening them.
- Clean dishes before using them.
- Wipe off counters before putting food and utensils on them.
- Use only covered sources of water for drinking.
- Listen for public safety announcements to know what to do in your area. Public officials will tell you when it’s safe to come out.
- If you are not at home, rejoin your family when it’s safe to leave and do so quickly.
The first 2 weeks
- Stay inside unless instructed to evacuate.
- Stay inside unless you are needed in recovery efforts.
- Do not eat fruits or vegetables growing above ground unless they can be washed and peeled.
- Wipe off and wash closed containers of food before opening them.
- Clean dishes before using them.
- Wipe off counters before putting food and utensils on them.
- Use only covered sources of water for drinking and cooking.
- If you can stay in place for 2 weeks, almost all radioactive fallout should be gone.
- Listen for public safety announcements.
How to prepare
- Have at least a two-week supply of food and water in your main shelter and at least a two-day supply where you work. It should be safe enough to leave your temporary shelter after 2 days but quickly move to your main shelter and plan to stay inside for 2 weeks or more unless told differently by local officials. (see “Water Storage and Purification” and “Emergency Food Supply“)
- Get a battery-operated or hand-crank radio for emergency notifications.
- Recognize possible shelters along regular travel routes.
For more information, go to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Radiation Emergencies.