Crisis-Ready Society
Scenarios / Extreme scenarios

Nuclear or radiation emergency

A radiation release from an accident or attack cannot be seen, smelled or felt, so official instructions are your main guide. This page explains the core rule of getting inside, staying inside and staying tuned, plus how to clean off contamination safely.

Extreme scenario: prepare calmly, not fearfully
In the UAEIn the UAE, follow instructions sent through National Early Warning System phone alerts; NCEMA says following warnings is the most important factor in protecting lives.[6]

Before

  • Find out your local emergency plans for radiation incidents.[1]
  • Keep a battery or hand-crank radio for official updates.[3]
  • Store a few days of water, food and medicines in case you must stay indoors.[5]
  • If you are given stable iodine tablets, read the patient leaflet before taking them.[1]
  • Know that schools, nurseries and care homes have their own plans to shelter people.[2]

During

  • Get inside the nearest solid building at once; cars and tents do not protect you.[1]
  • Move to a basement or the middle of the building, away from outer walls and roof.[2]
  • Close windows, doors and vents, and switch off fans and air conditioning.[2]
  • Stay inside for at least 24 hours, or longer if officials say so.[2]
  • Do not go out to collect family from school or elsewhere.[1]
  • Take off outer clothes and shoes, bag them, and wash with soap and water.[4]
  • Take stable iodine only if officials tell you to, and only the tablets provided.[1]
  • Follow official news on radio, TV and online, and text if calls fail.[3]

After

  • Leave shelter or evacuate only when authorities tell you to.[1]
  • Keep sealed food and drinks stored indoors; they are considered safe.[1]
  • Wait for official advice before eating home-grown or outdoor-stored food.[1]
  • Return home only when told it is safe.[1]
  • Keep following official advice, as guidance on food and water may change over time.[1]
  • Pregnant women should seek medical care once officials say it is safe.[3]

Watch

Short how-to videos for this topic are being added to our channel.
Watch Crisis-Ready Society on YouTube

Official sources

  1. GOV.UK (UK Health Security Agency): What to do in a radiation emergency
  2. CDC: What to Do: Get Inside
  3. CDC: Preparing for a Radiation Emergency
  4. GOV.UK (UK Health Security Agency): How to remove radioactive material from your skin and clothes
  5. UK Government (Prepare): Get prepared for emergencies
  6. NCEMA (UAE): The National Early Warning System
  7. UK Government (Prepare): Hazardous substance and radiation exposure

Steps are written in our own words from these pages. If advice from your local authority differs, follow your local authority.

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