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Infographic explaining nuclear explosion risks and safety steps: get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned.
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Be Prepared for a Nuclear Explosion

Nuclear explosions can cause significant damage and casualties from blast, heat, and radiation. You can keep your family safe by knowing what to do and being prepared if it occurs.

Hazards of a Nuclear Explosion

  • Bright flash: Can cause temporary blindness for less than a minute.
  • Blast wave: Can cause death, injury, and damage to structures several miles from the blast.
  • Radiation: Can damage cells of the body. Large exposures can cause radiation sickness.
  • Fire and heat: Can cause burns and ignite fires over several miles.
  • Electromagnetic pulse (EMP): Can damage electronics several miles from the detonation.
  • Fallout: Radioactive dirt and debris raining down can expose those outside.

Fallout is most dangerous in the first few hours after the detonation when radiation levels are highest. It takes time for fallout to arrive back to ground level, often more than 15 minutes for areas outside the immediate blast zone.

Protective Actions

Get Inside

  • Get inside the nearest building to avoid radiation. Brick or concrete buildings are best.
  • Remove contaminated clothing and wipe off or wash unprotected skin if exposed.
  • Go to the basement or middle of the building, away from outer walls and roof.

Stay Inside

  • Stay inside for 24 hours unless local authorities provide other instructions.
  • Stay where you are inside to avoid exposure to dangerous radiation.
  • Keep your pets inside.

Stay Tuned

  • Listen to available media for official information on when it is safe to exit.
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radios will function after a nuclear detonation.
  • Cell phone, text messaging, television, and internet services may be disrupted.

For more information, visit ready.gov/nuclear-blast

About Nuclear Explosions

A nuclear weapon is a device that uses a nuclear reaction to create an explosion. Nuclear devices range from a small portable device carried by an individual to a weapon carried by a missile. A nuclear explosion may occur with or without a few minutes warning. 

  • BRIGHT FLASH can cause temporary blindness for less than a minute. 
  • BLAST WAVE can cause death, injury, and damage to structures several miles out from the blast. 
  • RADIATION can damage cells of the body. Large exposures can cause radiation sickness. 
  • FIRE AND HEAT can cause death, burn injuries, and damage to structures several miles out. 
  • ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE (EMP) can damage electronics several miles out from the detonation and cause temporary disruptions further out. 
  • FALLOUT is radioactive, visible dirt and debris raining down that can cause sickness to those who are outside. 

Information about nuclear explosions and related risks, also included in text form elsewhere on this page.

Fallout

Fallout is most dangerous in the first few hours after the detonation when it is giving off the highest levels of radiation. It takes time for fallout to arrive back to ground level, often more than 15 minutes for areas outside of the immediate blast damage zones. This is enough time for you to be able to prevent significant radiation exposure by following these simple steps:

In the event of fallout from a nuclear explosion, you should get inside, stay inside and stay tuned to local media.

GET INSIDE: Get inside the nearest building to avoid radiation. Brick or concrete are best. Remove contaminated clothing and wipe off or wash unprotected skin if you were outside after the fallout arrived. Go to the basement or middle of the building. Stay away from the outer walls and roof.

STAY INSIDE: Stay inside for 24 hours unless local authorities provide other instructions. Family should stay where they are inside. Reunite later to avoid exposure to dangerous radiation. Keep your pets inside.

STAY TUNED: Tune into any media available for official information such as when it is safe to exit and where you should go. Battery operated and hand crank radios will function after a nuclear detonation. Cell phone, text messaging, television, and internet services may be disrupted or unavailable.
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