Preparedness

Emergency guidance

Calm reference material for radiological events. Nothing here overrides verified instructions from your jurisdiction.

Public protective action flowcharts

These diagrams summarize common themes—get inside, stay inside, stay tuned, careful clothing removal and washing, following official orders, and seeking medical help for serious symptoms. They mirror the priorities used in the site's risk screening tool and avoid tactical or weapon-related detail.

Dirty bomb / radiological dispersal device (RDD)

If radioactive material is spread without a nuclear detonation, public safety still centers on distance from dust, time indoors, and official instructions.

Recognize you may be in an area officials are describing. Prefer verified government alerts over rumors.
If you are outside or in a vehicle near the affected area, get inside the nearest sturdy building unless officials direct otherwise.
Move to an interior room or basement away from exterior walls when practical; stay inside until instructions change.
Close windows and shut off ventilation that pulls in outdoor air until you hear different guidance.
Stay tuned: battery radio, official TV, or trusted municipal alert apps for shelter, evacuation, or food/water advisories.
If dust, smoke, or debris may have gotten on you: carefully remove outer clothing; avoid shaking it; wash exposed skin and hair with soap and water.
Follow official shelter-in-place, evacuation, potassium iodide (KI), or food/water instructions exactly if they are issued for your area.
For severe trouble breathing, heavy bleeding, crush injury, or other life-threatening problems, seek emergency medical help when it is safe and allowed.

Nuclear detonation / fallout

Very large events are managed through layers of official guidance. These steps summarize common public messaging themes—not a substitute for live alerts.

If you see a bright flash or hear instructions referencing fallout, assume official channels will update quickly. Go inside immediately if you are outdoors.
Get to the center of the largest available building; put as many walls and floors between you and outdoor air as you can.
Stay inside. Shelter duration depends on location and official modeling—wait for the all-clear rather than guessing.
Stay tuned for evacuation routes, contamination maps, and service restoration. Avoid overloading phone networks except for urgent calls if advised.
If you may have been near dust outdoors, remove outer layers carefully, place them in a bag if officials request samples, and wash exposed skin.
Take potassium iodide (KI) only if public health officials tell people in your zone to do so, with dose guidance for children and adults.
Serious injury or symptoms always outweigh self-help reading—use emergency medical services when safe.

Possible radioactive contamination on you or your things

These hygiene and isolation steps are often taught for dust or smoke scenarios. They do not replace decontamination orders from professionals.

Step away from obvious dust or smoke if you can do so safely; avoid touching your face.
Remove outer clothing and shoes that may carry dust; place them in a plastic bag or isolated area if officials ask you to hold them for assessment.
Wash exposed skin and hair gently with soap and water; rinse eyes with clean water if directed by product labels or clinicians.
Change routes through your home so you do not track material to clean areas; keep pets off contaminated shoes or clothes.
Stay tuned for instructions about discarding food, water, or crops that may have been affected.
Follow official shelter, evacuation, or clinic instructions if provided.
Seek medical evaluation for persistent vomiting, severe skin irritation, breathing distress, or neurological changes—especially after known exposure.

Found an unknown radioactive source

Industrial gauges and sealed sources can look harmless. The priority is distance, isolation, and trained recovery.

Do not touch, move, open, or dismantle the object.
Increase distance; keep others and pets from approaching; note the exact location for authorities.
Call local law enforcement or your radiation safety authority using emergency or non-emergency numbers as appropriate for your area.
Do not ship, sell, or stash the item in a vehicle or home—wait for trained teams.
Stay tuned for any follow-up instructions about nearby sheltering or monitoring.
If you already touched material or feel ill, describe what happened honestly to clinicians or public health staff.

Nuclear power plant emergency (public area)

Licensed sites have emergency plans. Your county or utility will name protective actions; this chart lists common themes only.

Turn on official alert channels for your county or utility—sirens, radio, TV, or verified apps.
If told to shelter, go indoors, close windows, and reduce outdoor air intake until the all-clear.
If told to evacuate, use the stated routes and times; take medications and essentials; assist neighbors only if safe.
Take KI only if public health officials explicitly instruct your zone and age group.
Stay tuned for food, milk, or water sampling results if authorities mention agricultural advisories.
Avoid speculation; share only official links to reduce panic.
Use emergency medical services for serious injury or illness unrelated to the plant as you normally would.

Core principles

1. Follow official instructions first
Tune to local emergency alerts, official social channels, and shelter-in-place or evacuation orders from authorities.
2. Limit exposure time and increase distance
Time, distance, and shielding reduce dose. Moving indoors to a central room away from exterior walls often helps during some outdoor plume scenarios—follow local guidance.
3. Avoid rumor sources
Prefer verified government and health agency updates. This site cannot interpret live measurements for your location.
4. Medical concerns
If you feel ill or were instructed to seek evaluation, contact emergency medical services or your clinician.

Ready.gov nuclear preparedness CDC radiation and health Risk screening tool