A widely shared social media post outlining what families should do following a nuclear explosion is drawing attention to emergency guidance that most Americans may rarely think about: what happens in the minutes and hours after radioactive fallout begins moving through an affected area.
The post was shared by @alpha_leaders, an Instagram leadership account followed by Presence News that typically focuses on leadership-oriented material rather than nuclear emergency preparedness. The unusual subject matter caught our attention and prompted Presence News to examine the claims with guidance published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The most important finding is surprisingly simple.
Federal emergency guidance largely comes down to three instructions:
Get inside. Stay inside. Stay tuned.
And while some of the social media post’s language is dramatic, many of its core preparedness recommendations closely resemble federal guidance.
Fallout Doesn’t Necessarily Arrive With the Explosion
A nuclear detonation produces intense heat, light, blast pressure and radiation. Radioactive material can mix with material drawn into the mushroom cloud, cool into particles and eventually fall back toward Earth as radioactive fallout.
Those particles can also be transported considerable distances by wind.
That creates an important distinction between surviving the immediate effects of an explosion and protecting yourself from fallout afterward.
The social media post suggests people outside the immediate blast area could have approximately 15 minutes or more before fallout arrives.
That shouldn’t be interpreted as a universal countdown. Fallout arrival depends on factors including the weapon, detonation, distance and atmospheric conditions.
The actionable point is simpler: if a nuclear detonation occurs, don’t spend precious time trying to determine exactly when fallout will arrive. Get into suitable shelter immediately.
Get Inside — And Go Toward the Center
CDC guidance says people should enter a building and move toward its middle or basement, away from windows and doors.
Staying indoors reduces exposure to radiation outside.
Not every building offers the same protection. Dense materials and greater distance between a person and radioactive material generally provide better shielding, making basements and interior portions of substantial buildings preferable to exposed areas near windows, roofs and exterior walls.
Federal emergency messaging prepared by FEMA tells people facing a nuclear detonation to get into the basement or central room of a sturdy building and remain away from windows and doors.
A car, therefore, should generally not be your destination if a better building is accessible.
Don’t Automatically Drive to Find Your Family
This may be one of the most counterintuitive parts of nuclear-emergency planning.
The instinct after a catastrophe may be to get in a vehicle, drive home, pick up children or find relatives.
That could instead increase exposure.
CDC guidance for radiological emergencies says that if family members are already inside another building, they should remain there until authorities say travel is safe. Children at school should similarly remain at the school until officials determine it is safe to travel.
That makes advance family planning particularly important.
Parents and caregivers should know where children are expected to shelter and establish a family communications plan before an emergency occurs.
If You Were Outside, Remove Your Outer Clothing
If you were exposed to fallout before reaching shelter, one remarkably simple action can substantially reduce contamination.
Take off your outer layer of clothing.
According to the CDC, removing that outer layer can eliminate up to 90% of radioactive material from a person’s body.
The clothing should be handled carefully so radioactive dust isn’t shaken into the air, placed in a plastic bag or other sealable container, and stored away from people and pets.
Shower — But Don’t Scrub Yourself
If possible, take a warm shower and wash gently with plenty of soap.
Wash your hair with shampoo or soap and avoid aggressively scrubbing or scratching your skin. Cuts and abrasions should be covered to reduce the possibility of radioactive material entering an open wound.
If a shower isn’t available, CDC recommends washing exposed areas such as the hands and face with soap and water. Moist wipes or clean wet cloths can also be used when running water isn’t available.
The goal is to remove radioactive particles from the body, not grind them into the skin.
What About Tap Water?
CDC says tap water can be used to wash the skin, hair and clothing during decontamination, even when officials are concerned that the water supply may have been contaminated.
Drinking it is a different matter.
Until authorities have tested the water, CDC says bottled water is the only drinking-water source certain to be free of contamination. Boiling water does not remove radioactive material.
If safer sources aren’t available, however, CDC says tap water should still be used to remain hydrated.
Food and Medicine Already Inside May Remain Safe
A nuclear emergency doesn’t automatically mean everything inside your home becomes radioactive.
According to CDC guidance, foods and drinks in sealed containers or that were already inside are generally safe. Food in refrigerators and freezers can also be safe.
Medication that was indoors should continue to be taken. If a medicine container was outside, CDC advises wiping down the container before using it.
Windows and doors should be closed and locked, fireplace dampers closed, and ventilation equipment that pulls outside air into the building should be turned off when possible.
Don’t Forget Pets
Pets should come inside as well.
If an animal was outdoors during a radiation emergency, CDC recommends carefully washing the animal with shampoo or soap and water and rinsing thoroughly. People performing the washing should wear waterproof gloves and a dust mask if available and cover cuts or abrasions on themselves and the animal.
Sealed pet food is generally safe, while containers and feeding equipment exposed outside can be wiped down before use.
Be Prepared to Stay Inside for at Least 24 Hours
Perhaps the most consequential period following a nuclear detonation is the initial sheltering period.
FEMA’s nuclear-detonation response guidance tells the public to prepare to remain indoors for at least 24 hours, unless officials provide different instructions or remaining in the building presents an immediate danger such as fire or structural collapse.
This is why a battery-powered or hand-crank radio can be valuable.
Cellular and internet service may be damaged or overwhelmed, while authorities can distribute emergency instructions through multiple systems. FEMA says Wireless Emergency Alerts, television and radio are among the mechanisms officials can use to distribute protective instructions.
Ultimately, authorities may instruct some communities to remain sheltered while directing others to evacuate along particular routes.
Leaving prematurely can therefore be more dangerous than remaining indoors.
Social Media Posts Aren’t Emergency Alerts
FEMA specifically warns that nuclear emergencies can generate misinformation online and advises the public to rely on emergency-response and government authorities for immediate instructions. FEMA notes that social platforms can amplify incorrect information or resurface older emergency instructions that no longer apply to a particular situation.
That doesn’t make preparedness information unimportant.
The opposite may be true.
Knowing what to do before an emergency means people don’t have to learn the fundamentals while an emergency is unfolding.
Federal guidance can essentially be reduced to three memorable instructions:
Get inside. Stay inside. Stay tuned.
Move toward the basement or center of a substantial building. Stay away from windows and exterior walls. Remove potentially contaminated outer clothing. Wash gently if exposed. Keep family members sheltered where they already are rather than immediately traveling to find one another. Listen to authorities before evacuating.
For official guidance, readers can consult the CDC Radiation Emergencies guidance and FEMA nuclear-detonation preparedness guidance.