What to know
You can help in radiation emergencies by not using resources that emergency officials need to help others. This includes not making phone calls to keep phone lines clear. You can also help save someone's life by providing shelter. Stay tuned for guidance from emergency officials about other ways to help.
Listen to emergency responders
Stay inside unless told otherwise by emergency officials. This will protect you from harmful radiation and help keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
Unless you are critically injured, stay away from hospitals, fire, and police stations. This will help the facilities stay available for those in serious need of assistance. Emergency officials will be providing information on where to go to get screened for radioactive contamination. They will also provide the locations of emergency shelters.
Keep phone lines clear
Provide shelter
Providing shelter to someone who was outside during a radiation emergency can save their life without endangering your own.
These steps will help limit their radiation exposure and keep radioactive material from spreading:
- Ask them to remove their outer layer of clothing before entering the building or shelter.
- Once inside, ask them to wash the parts of their body that were not covered when they were outside.
- Then ask them to put on clean clothing, if they can.
Learn more about self-decontamination.