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ENTRY C-01What to do if a nuclear bomb goes off
Get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. FEMA's Ready.gov says that after the shockwave passes you have 10 minutes or more to get inside before fallout arrives, so get into the nearest building, ideally brick or concrete, go to the basement or the middle, and expect to stay at least 24 hours unless officials tell you otherwise (CDC).
Get inside
- Get into the nearest building. The CDC says a brick or concrete multi-story building or a basement is best, but any building is safer than being outside.
- Not a car. The CDC says cars do not give good protection.
- Go deep. Head for the basement or the middle of the building, as far as you can from the outer walls and roof. Fallout settles on the outside of buildings (CDC).
- Take off your outer layer of clothes before you go in if you can, and bag it (see how to clean yourself off).
If you are caught outside and cannot get in straight away, the CDC says cover your mouth and nose with a mask, cloth or towel to cut down what you breathe in.
Stay inside
- At least 24 hours unless officials say otherwise. The CDC explains that radioactive material gets weaker over time, and Ready.gov says radiation levels drop fast in the first 24 hours.
- Close and lock windows and doors. Turn off fans, air conditioning and forced-air heating that pull air in from outside (CDC).
- Do not go out to fetch family. The hardest instruction to follow. If your children are at school, the CDC says stay where you are, because going out could expose you and them to dangerous radiation. FEMA's Ready.gov says learn your children's school plans for sheltering now, before anything happens.
- Bring pets in if you can do it safely.
Stay tuned
- Listen for instructions on when it is safe to leave and where to go.
- The CDC says a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, ideally a NOAA Weather Radio, is one of the best ways to stay tuned.
- Phone calls may not get through. The CDC suggests text messages instead.
Food and water while you shelter
- Drink bottled water and eat food in sealed containers (CDC).
- Boiling does not remove radioactive material from water, according to the CDC.
- FEMA's Ready.gov says unsealed food that was outside may be contaminated.
Common mistakes
- Sheltering in a car. The CDC says cars give poor protection.
- Driving across town to collect children. The CDC says stay where you are.
- Staying near windows or on the top floor. Go to the basement or the middle.
- Leaving after an hour or two. Plan for at least 24 hours unless officials say otherwise.
- Drinking boiled tap water and assuming it is safe. Boiling does not remove radioactive material.
Gear for this
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NOAA Weather Radio, hand-crank or battery
The CDC names it as one of the best ways to get instructions when phones are down.
Bottled water
The CDC says drink bottled water while you shelter. Keep at least a few days' worth at home.
Dust masks
For covering your mouth and nose if you are caught outside (CDC). Dust masks are on FEMA's basic kit list too.
Large sealable plastic bags
For bagging clothes that were outside. The CDC says keep them away from people and pets.
Questions people ask
How long should you stay inside after a nuclear explosion?
At least 24 hours unless officials say otherwise. The CDC says radioactive material gets weaker over time.
Where is the safest place to shelter from fallout?
The basement or the middle of a brick or concrete building, away from the outer walls and roof, according to the CDC.
Should I go and get my kids from school?
No. The CDC says stay where you are, because going outside could expose you and them to dangerous radiation.
Sources
- Ready.gov (FEMA): Radiation Emergencies
- CDC: Preparing for a Radiation Emergency
- CDC: Frequently Asked Questions about Radiation Emergencies
- CDC: What to Do: Get Inside
- CDC: What to Do in Radiation Emergencies
Related entries
- C-02Radiation emergency: where to shelter in your home and for how longBasement or middle of the house, windows shut, air off, at least 24 hours.
- C-06How to clean yourself off after radiation exposureTake off your outer clothes, bag them, shower with soap and shampoo, no conditioner.
- C-03Potassium iodide (KI): what it protects against and when to take itIt only protects the thyroid. Take it only when officials tell you to.
General safety information only, not medical or professional advice. Rules can change, so check the linked sources and follow your local officials. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.