If advised to remain at home:

•  Bring pets inside.

• Close and lock windows and doors.

• Turn off air conditioning, vents, fans and furnace.

• Close fireplace dampers.

• Go to the basement or other underground area.

• Stay inside until authorities say it is safe.

• If you must go out, cover mouth and nose. Be prepared to evacuate or find shelter in your home.

When coming in from outdoors:

•  Shower and change clothing and shoes.

• Put items worn outdoors in a plastic bag and seal it.

If advised to evacuate: 

• Listen to a radio or television for information on evacuation routes, temporary shelters, and procedures.

• Minimize contamination in house.

• Close and lock windows and doors.

• Turn off air conditioning, vents, fans, and furnace.

• Close fireplace dampers.

• Take disaster supplies.

After the event:

When the immediate danger has passed, avoid using foods from your garden or milk from your cows or goats until these can be inspected by a local emergency official. Contamination could affect areas as far as 50 miles from the accident site.

Distance:

Shielding:  Like distance, the more heavy, dense materials between you and the source of the radiation, the better. This is why local officials could advise you to remain indoors if a radiological accident occurs. In some cases, the walls in your home would be sufficient shielding to protect you.

 Time:  Most radioactivity loses its strength fairly quickly. Limiting the time spent near the source of radiation reduces the amount of radiation you will receive. Following a radiological accident, local authorities will monitor any release of radiation and determine when the threat has passed.

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