Protect your self from radiation

Protecting Yourself from Radiation

Radiation is part of your life. Background radiation, which comes mainly from natural minerals, is always around us. Fortunately, there are few situations in which an average person is exposed to uncontrolled sources of radiation beyond the background. However, it is good to be prepared and know what to do if such a situation occurs.

One of the best ways is to prepare to understand the principles of time, distance, and shielding as radiation protection. While there is medical radiation (large release of radioactive material into the environment), we can use these principles to help protect ourselves and our families.

Time, distance, and shield

Radiation emergencies

Where should you go when there is a radiation emergency

How to Prepare for a Radiation Emergency |

Potassium Iodide

Time, Distance, and Protection

Time, distance, and shielding actions reduce your radiation exposure in the same way that it does to protect you from excessive sun exposure.

Time: For people exposed to radiation in addition to natural radiation in the background, limiting or reducing the exposure time reduces the dose from the radiation source.

Distance: Like reducing heat when you are away from a fire, the dose of radiation is greatly reduced as you are completely isolated from its source.

Shield: Lead, concrete, or water barriers provide protection from wearable gamma rays and x-rays. This is why some radioactive materials are stored underwater or concrete or lead-coated rooms, and why dentists place lead blankets on patients undergoing x-rays of their teeth. Therefore, placing a proper shield between you and the radiation source will greatly reduce or eliminate the dose you receive.

Radiation Emergencies

In a large-scale radiation release, such as a nuclear power plant accident or a terrorist event, the following advice has been scrutinized and proven to provide maximum protection.

If emergency radiation occurs, you can take action to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your pets: Enter the Courtyard, Stay Inside and Wait for the news. Follow the advice of emergency responders and officials.

In emergency radiation, you may be asked to enter a building and take shelter for a period of time.

This action is called "shelter in place."

Go to the center of the building or basement, away from doors and windows.

Bring pets into the yard.

Buildings that provide substantial protection from radiation. More walls between you and the outlet mean more barriers between you and the radioactive material at the exit. Rapid entry and stay inside after a radiological accident can limit your radiation exposure and possibly save your life.

Close windows and doors.

Bathe or wipe exposed parts of your body with a damp towel.

Drink bottled water and eat from stamped containers.

Wait for the News

Emergency officials are accustomed to responding to catastrophic situations and take specific steps to keep people safe. This may be through social media, emergency alert systems, television, or radio.

Get the latest information from radio, television, the Internet, mobile devices, etc.

Emergency officials will provide information on where to go to check for contamination.

If you have identified or contacted a source of radioactivity, find and contact your state radiation control office.

Where You Should Go When There Is A Radiation Emergency

Go to the basement or in the middle of a solid building. Radioactive material stays outside the buildings, so the best thing to do is to stay as far away as possible from the walls and roof of the building. Stay in the courtyard for at least 24 hours until emergency response officials say it is ok for you to leave.

How to Prepare for an Emergency Radiation

As with any emergency, it is important to have a plan in place so that you and your family know what to do in the event of an actual emergency. Take the following steps today to prepare yourself and your family:

Protect Yourself: When a radiation emergency occurs, enter the courtyard, stay in the courtyard, and wait for the news. Repeat this message with your family during non-emergency times so they know what to do in the event of a radiological emergency.

Create an Emergency Family Communication Plan: Share your family communication plan and practice it so your family knows how to respond to an emergency. For more information on creating a plan, including templates, visit “Make a Plan” at Ready.gov/plan

Make an Emergency Supply Kit: This kit is available in an emergency and may include non-perishable food, used batteries or radio, water, flashlights, batteries, first aid supplies, and copies of your essentials information if you need to evacuate. For more information on what supplies to include, go to the Basic Disaster Supplies Kit at the Ready.gov/kit

Get acquainted with your Community Radiation Emergency Plan: See your local officials, your child's school, where you work, and more, how they prepare to act in the event of a radiological emergency.

Learn about Public Alert and Notification Systems: These systems will be used to alert the public in the event of a radiological event. Many communities have a text or email alert system for emergency notifications. Find out which alerts are available in your area, search the Internet for your town, city, county name, and the word "alerts."

Check for Reliable Sources of Information: Check for reliable sources of information today and return them in the event of an emergency for messages and instructions. Unfortunately, we know based on past disasters and emergencies that small numbers of individuals can take advantage of the misinformation.

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