Radiation Emergency Preparedness

What to do during a nuclear power plant emergency or radiological event.

30 minUpdated June 19, 20268 steps

RadiationNuclearAdvanced

Introduction

Radiation emergencies — whether from a nuclear power plant accident, transportation accident, or radiological weapon — require specific, counterintuitive actions. The key principles are: distance, shielding, and time. This guide covers sheltering in place, potassium iodide (KI) use, evacuation decisions, decontamination, and long-term health monitoring. While rare, radiation emergencies are high-impact events where knowing exactly what to do can save your life.

Prerequisites

Awareness of nearby nuclear facilities (within 10-mile EPZ)
Understanding of basic radiation principles
Access to emergency broadcast system

Supplies Needed

Emergency kit (see 72-Hour Kit guide)
Potassium iodide (KI) tablets (if within 10-mile EPZ of nuclear plant)
Duct tape and plastic sheeting for sealing windows/doors
Battery-powered radio for emergency broadcasts
Iodine-based water purification tablets (alternative to KI)

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Step 1 of 8

Understand Radiation Exposure Principles

5 min

Three factors determine your exposure: DISTANCE (farther is better), SHIELDING (heavy materials like concrete, lead, or earth block radiation), and TIME (less exposure time is better). Your goal is to maximize all three.

Pro Tip

You can't see, smell, taste, or feel radiation. You must rely on official information and take protective actions immediately.

5 min

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