NUCLEAR DETONATION, RADIATION, FALLOUT Stay tuned to television and radio broadcasts for important updates. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio is a good source of information. Two principal actions protect humans from radiation and fallout following a nuclear detonation: Sheltering and Evacuation . Potential radiation contamination and dosage levels dramatically decrease after 72 hours. SHELTER • Shelter in the basement, interior rooms in the middle floors of a large multi-story building, underground parking garages, or tunnels. Stay away from exterior walls and windows. Radiation doses from fallout are dramatically reduced by placing the most structure between people and outside as possible. • If exposure to radiation dust occurs: − Remove all clothing. Put contaminated clothing in a plastic bag, tie the bag and place as far away from people/animals as possible. Removing outer clothing can remove up to 90% of radiation dust. − Showering and shampooing hair is advisable if possible. Wash gently; do not scrub. Do not use the conditioner. − If showering is not possible, wash any exposed skin with water and clean cloth or premoistened towelettes (such as baby wipes). Place used towelettes in plastic bag, tie bag and place as far away from people/animals as possible. − Gently blow your nose. Wipe your eyes and eyelids with a clean wet cloth. Gently wipe your ears. − Put on clean clothes if available. EVACUATION • Stay inside until you are instructed to evacuate by authorities or emergency responders. • No evacuation should be attempted until basic information is available from authorities regarding fallout distribution and radiation dose rates. • When evacuating, travel at right angles to the fallout path as much as possible and away from the plume centerline. • Washing or rinsing vehicles is preferred to reduce secondary radiation contamination but should not be undertaken if it will slow down the evacuation. • Follow EVACUATION / LOCKDOWN / CLOSURE as applicable to your hotel.
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