What to to do if it happens
Take cover as quickly as you can, below ground if possible, and stay there until instructed to do otherwise.
Find the nearest brick or concrete building and go inside. If you can reach better shelter within a few minutes, go there immediately.
Go as far below ground as possible, or to the centre of a large building. You need to put as much concrete, brick and soil between you and the radioactive material outside as you can.
Stay where you are for at least 24 hours. This could save your life. If there is a large blast, people in areas closest to it may have to shelter for up to a month.
Radiation levels outside are extremely high immediately after an explosion, obviously, but they go down quickly (they reduce by 80% in one day).
Find the nearest brick or concrete building and go inside. If you can reach better shelter within a few minutes, go there immediately.
Go as far below ground as possible, or to the centre of a large building. You need to put as much concrete, brick and soil between you and the radioactive material outside as you can.
Stay where you are for at least 24 hours. This could save your life. If there is a large blast, people in areas closest to it may have to shelter for up to a month.
Radiation levels outside are extremely high immediately after an explosion, obviously, but they go down quickly (they reduce by 80% in one day).
If you can’t get inside in time
Do not look directly at the flash or the fireball – it can blind you.
Take cover behind anything that might offer protection, such as a wall.
Lie flat on the ground and cover your head. If the explosion is some distance away, it could take 30 seconds or more for the blast wave to hit.
Take shelter inside as soon as you can, even if you are miles away from ground zero . The wind can carry radioactive fallout for hundreds of miles.
Take cover behind anything that might offer protection, such as a wall.
Lie flat on the ground and cover your head. If the explosion is some distance away, it could take 30 seconds or more for the blast wave to hit.
Take shelter inside as soon as you can, even if you are miles away from ground zero . The wind can carry radioactive fallout for hundreds of miles.
Get clean as soon as possible
If you were outside during or after the blast, take off your outer clothing. This can remove up to 90% of radioactive material.
If practical, place your contaminated clothing in a plastic bag and seal or tie the bag. Place the bag as far away as possible from humans and animals so that the radiation it gives off does not affect others.
When possible, take a shower with lots of soap and water to help remove radioactive contamination. Do not scrub or scratch the skin.
Wash your hair with shampoo or soap and water. Do not use conditioner because it will bind radioactive material to your hair.
Gently blow your nose and wipe your eyelids, eyelashes and ears with a clean wet cloth.
If you cannot shower, use a wipe or clean wet cloth to wipe your skin that was not covered by clothing.
If practical, place your contaminated clothing in a plastic bag and seal or tie the bag. Place the bag as far away as possible from humans and animals so that the radiation it gives off does not affect others.
When possible, take a shower with lots of soap and water to help remove radioactive contamination. Do not scrub or scratch the skin.
Wash your hair with shampoo or soap and water. Do not use conditioner because it will bind radioactive material to your hair.
Gently blow your nose and wipe your eyelids, eyelashes and ears with a clean wet cloth.
If you cannot shower, use a wipe or clean wet cloth to wipe your skin that was not covered by clothing.
Returning to Your Home
If you had time to evacuate before the blast, keep listening to the TV and radio about what to do, where to go and places to avoid.
Stay away from areas marked ‘radiation hazard’ or ‘HAZMAT.’
Remember that radiation cannot be seen, smelled or otherwise detected by human senses.
If you have been sheltering, wait until there is word from the authorities that it is safe to leave.
Stay away from areas marked ‘radiation hazard’ or ‘HAZMAT.’
Remember that radiation cannot be seen, smelled or otherwise detected by human senses.
If you have been sheltering, wait until there is word from the authorities that it is safe to leave.
Preparations before an attack
n preparation, you could put together an emergency supply kit including non-perishable good and water, a battery powered or hand-crank radio, a torch and batteries.
You could keep one in your car in case you need to evacuate.
You can also make a ‘family emergency plan’ to know how you will contact each other and how you will get back together in an emergency.
You could keep one in your car in case you need to evacuate.
You can also make a ‘family emergency plan’ to know how you will contact each other and how you will get back together in an emergency.