Radiation Emergencies: Get Inside, Stay Inside, Stay Tuned

The first rule in any radiation emergency is three short instructions: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. Putting material between you and the radiation protects you while you wait for instructions from responders. FEMA's Ready.gov page explains how to prepare, what to do during and what to do after.

Image from Ready.gov's page.

What counts as a radiation emergency

They vary in damage and harm to the public. Examples are a nuclear detonation, an accident at a nuclear power plant, a transportation accident involving radioactive materials, and an occupational exposure in a healthcare or research setting. The extent of damage varies, but the steps to protect yourself are the same. The page gives the radiation protection principles as time, distance and shielding: limit time exposed, stay as far as possible from the source, and put a sturdy building around you.

Prepare now

• Several ways to get alerts. The FEMA App gives real-time National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations. Also sign up for community alerts from your local emergency management agency, and keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio that works if other communications fail.
• An emergency supply kit. For each family member include a spare change of clothes, and add a trash bag for contaminated clothing, sealed food, water and medicine.
• A family communications plan. Pick a meeting place if you cannot be at home, name an out-of-state contact, arrange safe places to stay if you must evacuate, and learn the shelter-in-place and evacuation plans at your school, work and care facilities.

During

If the emergency is outside, get inside the nearest building right away, move away from windows and put as many walls as you can between you and the outside.

Image from Ready.gov's page: a man and a dog outside, and a car, are marked not safe; anywhere inside a building is safer, and the innermost part, behind inner walls with no windows, is safest.

Nuclear detonation is the most dangerous radiation emergency, with a large, deadly blast. A ground burst can suck material into the air and create sand-like radioactive particles called fallout.

1. If you have warning, take cover behind anything that protects you from the blast. Outside, lie face down to protect exposed skin from heat and flying debris. After the shockwave passes, go into the nearest building as quickly as you can.
2. You will have 10 minutes or more before fallout arrives. If a multi-story building or basement is reachable within a few minutes, go there. Brick or concrete walls make the safest buildings, and underground garages and subways are good shelter too.
3. Stay in the most protective spot (a basement or the center of a large building) for the first 24 hours, unless an immediate hazard such as fire, a gas leak, building collapse or serious injury threatens you, or authorities say it is safe to leave. Radiation levels fall quickly during that time.
4. Close the house up. If possible turn off fans, air conditioners and forced-air heating that draw in outside air, close windows, doors and fireplace dampers, and keep pets and service animals inside too. Sheltering usually lasts at least 24 hours.
5. Stay tuned. Follow responders' instructions, listen for routes, shelters and procedures if told to evacuate, and do not go back until local authorities say it is safe.

After

If you were outside during a release or think radioactive material is on you:

• Take off your outer layer. It can remove up to 90% of radioactive material. Move carefully so the dust does not shake loose, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Get clean. Shower or wash with soap and water if you can. If not, wipe uncovered skin and hair with a wipe or clean wet cloth. Do not use household cleaning wipes on skin, and know that hand sanitizer does not protect against radioactive material.
• Clean pets that were outside after the dust arrived, by brushing gently and washing with soap and water if available.
• Eat and drink with care. Food that was inside a building is safe. Food in sealed containers that was outside is safe if you wipe the container with a damp cloth first, and seal that cloth in a plastic bag away from people and pets. Unsealed food from outside may be contaminated, as may garden food or any food or liquid that was outdoors uncovered, until authorities say it is safe.
• Get medical help if you are sick or hurt. In a public shelter, tell staff at once so they can call a hospital or clinic. In a medical emergency call 9-1-1.

The threat of a radiation or nuclear emergency can be stressful, and surviving one can be traumatic, so look after yourself and talk to someone if you feel upset.

Sources

• Federal Emergency Management Agency, Ready.gov, Radiation Emergencies; rewritten in hubnx's own words.