Nuclear accident: what to do in an emergency?
In the event of a nuclear accident, you need to know exactly what to do. Because you can neither see nor taste the danger from radioactive radiation. Here you can find out what scientists and the authorities advise in an emergency.
What to do in the event of a nuclear accident? This is how you react correctly
- As soon as you have heard of a nuclear accident with leaked radioactive radiation, go immediately to the nearest building. Old buildings with thick walls and few or small windows are best suited.
- Then notify your family members, neighbors and friends.
- Take the radio or a laptop / tablet and go into a room that has no windows - such as the bathroom or the basement.
- Turn on the radio or open large news portals to wait for further instructions.
- To prevent radioactive air from getting in, you should close / seal all openings to the outside and temporarily switch off ventilation. You should lower blinds or blinds and close the shutters.
- If the danger is confirmed, you can take iodine tablets from your medicine cabinet, as directed by the authorities. These lower the risk of thyroid cancer from radioactivity. For the tablet to work, it must be taken about three hours before the radioactive cloud arrives.
- Only leave the building with a special breathing mask (FFP3 mask). You should always have one of the masks in the car to get safely from the car into the house.
- You should stop eating foods that may be radioactive. Instead of tap water, you should use water bottles.
Nuclear accident: How to prepare for an emergency
The Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief recommends:
- 14 liters of liquid per person per week (water bottles, fruit juices) as well as durable foods such as canned goods that do not require cooling.
- You can read here how many groceries you should buy in stock. This includes whole milk powder and canned whole grain bread.
- You should also have candles, a camping stove and charged power banks. In the CHIP leaderboard you will find the most powerful and reliable electricity storage devices.
- Download the latest disaster protection hazard app onto your mobile phone.
- You should also check and top up your medicine chest, especially with iodine tablets.
The virus in the Bavarian nuclear power plant in Grundremmingen, for example, shows how high the risk of a nuclear accident is.