How to Keep Your Family Safe During a Nuclear Attack
Learn essential nuclear attack safety for families with our comprehensive guide. Discover preparation steps, shelter options, decontamination procedures, and critical supplies to protect your loved ones during radiation emergencies.
How to Keep Your Family Safe During a Nuclear Attack
Understanding Nuclear Attacks and Their Effects
Nuclear detonation zones and radiation spread patterns
A nuclear attack involves the explosion of a nuclear weapon that produces an intense pulse of heat, light, air pressure, and radiation. Understanding the three main hazards can help you better prepare:
Blast Effects
The explosion creates a powerful shock wave that can destroy buildings and cause injuries from flying debris several miles from ground zero. The immediate blast is the most destructive element but affects a limited area.
Thermal Radiation
The heat and light from the explosion can cause severe burns and eye injuries to people outside during the blast. This thermal radiation can ignite fires across a wide area, creating additional hazards.
Nuclear Fallout
Radioactive material that “falls out” of the sky following a nuclear explosion poses a significant danger. Fallout can contaminate large areas and remains dangerous for days to weeks, with radiation levels being highest in the first 24-72 hours.
“The three key factors for protecting yourself from radiation and fallout are distance, shielding, and time. Understanding these principles can significantly increase your family’s chances of survival.”
Preparing Before a Nuclear Attack
Preparation is your strongest defense against a nuclear emergency. Taking these steps now can save precious time when minutes matter most: More Emergency preparedness
Create a Family Emergency Plan
- Identify multiple meeting locations – one close to home and another outside your neighborhood
- Establish an out-of-area contact person who can coordinate communication if local lines are down
- Plan evacuation routes in multiple directions from your home
- Practice your plan regularly with all family members, including children
- Document your plan and ensure everyone knows where to find it
Identify Potential Shelters
Locate potential fallout shelters near your home, workplace, and children’s schools:
- Check if your community has designated public fallout shelters
- Identify buildings with thick concrete walls and few or no windows
- Map out basements, underground parking garages, subway tunnels, or the windowless center areas of middle floors in high-rise buildings
- Consider creating a fallout room in your home (basement or central room with reinforced walls)
Download Your Family Emergency Plan Template
Get our printable template to create a comprehensive emergency plan for your family. Includes contact information sheets, meeting location planners, and evacuation route maps.
Build an Emergency Supply Kit
Prepare a kit that will sustain your family for at least two weeks:
Food and Water
- One gallon of water per person per day (minimum 14-day supply)
- Non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration, preparation, or cooking
- Manual can opener and eating utensils
- Infant formula and baby food, if needed
Medical Supplies
- First aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, and pain relievers
- Prescription medications (minimum 30-day supply)
- Potassium iodide (KI) tablets to protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine
- N95 masks or respirators to filter airborne particles
Communication Tools
- Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio (preferably NOAA Weather Radio)
- Extra batteries for all devices
- Whistle to signal for help
- Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
Other Essential Items
- Flashlights and light sticks
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal rooms
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Ideal home shelter locations during a nuclear emergency
Immediate Actions During a Nuclear Attack
Remember the 3 Critical Steps: GET INSIDE, STAY INSIDE, STAY TUNED
These three simple steps, outlined by official emergency management agencies, form the foundation of your response to a nuclear emergency.
Get Inside Quickly
If you receive a warning or witness signs of a nuclear detonation:
- Move inside the nearest building immediately
- If you’re in a vehicle, abandon it and find the closest sturdy building
- Do not look at the flash or fireball – it can cause blindness
- If caught outside with no immediate shelter, lie flat on the ground and cover your head
- Once inside, move to the basement or center of the building
Stay Inside, Away from Windows
Once you’ve found shelter:
- Move to the basement or center of the building, putting as many walls as possible between you and the outside
- Stay at least 6 feet away from all windows and exterior doors
- If possible, use plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal cracks around doors and windows
- Turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring in air from outside
- Close fireplace dampers to prevent outside air from entering
Do Not Attempt to Evacuate Immediately
The highest concentration of fallout occurs in the first few hours after a detonation. Attempting to evacuate during this period puts you at much greater risk than sheltering in place. Wait for official instructions before leaving your shelter.
Stay Tuned for Information
Information will be your lifeline during a nuclear emergency:
- Use your battery-powered or hand-crank radio to listen for official instructions
- Follow emergency alerts on your phone if service is available
- Do not spread unverified information or rumors
- Conserve phone battery by limiting use to essential communications
Download the FEMA App for Real-Time Alerts
Receive official emergency alerts, safety tips, and information on emergency shelters directly on your phone.
Get the FEMA App
Understanding Radiation Protection Principles
The three key principles of radiation protection: Time, Distance, and Shielding
Protecting yourself from radiation exposure relies on three fundamental principles:
Time
Limiting the time spent in areas with radiation reduces your total exposure. Fallout radiation loses its intensity rapidly – in the first 24 hours, it declines to approximately 20% of its initial level, and after two weeks, to about 1%. This is why sheltering for at least 24 to 48 hours is critical.
Distance
The further away you are from fallout particles, the lower your exposure to them. Radiation follows the inverse square law – doubling your distance from the source reduces your exposure to one-quarter. This is why moving to the center of a building or underground provides better protection.
Shielding
Dense materials between you and fallout particles can block much of the harmful radiation. The heavier and denser the materials (such as concrete, brick, earth, or books), the better the protection. Multiple layers of different materials provide the best shielding.
Shielding Effectiveness of Common Materials
| Material | Thickness Needed | Protection Level | Common Examples |
| Steel | 1 inch (2.5 cm) | High | Safe rooms, bank vaults |
| Concrete | 8 inches (20 cm) | Very Good | Basements, underground garages |
| Soil/Earth | 12 inches (30 cm) | Good | Underground shelters |
| Brick | 14 inches (35 cm) | Good | Brick buildings, fireplaces |
| Books/Magazines | 16 inches (40 cm) | Moderate | Stacked publications |
| Wood | 36 inches (90 cm) | Low | Interior walls |
Decontamination Procedures
Proper decontamination steps to remove radioactive material
If you were outside during or after a nuclear detonation, you must remove radioactive material from your body as soon as possible. Proper decontamination can remove up to 90% of external radioactive contamination.
Personal Decontamination Steps
- Remove your outer layer of clothing – This can remove up to 90% of radioactive material. Carefully roll clothing away from your face with the contaminated side inward.
- Seal contaminated clothing in a plastic bag. Place the bag as far away from humans and animals as possible.
- Take a thorough shower – Use plenty of soap and water, but avoid scrubbing or scratching your skin, which could allow radioactive particles to enter your bloodstream.
- Wash your hair with shampoo or soap. Do not use conditioner, as it can bind radioactive material to your hair.
- Gently clean your ears, eyes, and nose. Use a clean, wet cloth to wipe your eyelids and eyelashes, and gently blow your nose.
- Put on clean clothes – Only use clothing that was stored in a closed drawer or closet to ensure it’s not contaminated.
Decontaminating Children and Pets
Children and pets require special attention during decontamination:
- Help children follow the same decontamination steps, ensuring water doesn’t enter their eyes, nose, or mouth
- For infants and small children, use a clean, wet cloth to wipe exposed skin and hair
- Wash pets with pet shampoo and plenty of water, wearing gloves and protective clothing if possible
- Keep pets’ food and water covered and stored inside to prevent contamination
If Water Is Limited
If you cannot shower, use a clean, wet cloth to wipe exposed skin surfaces gently, paying particular attention to your hands, face, and other exposed areas. Even limited decontamination is better than none at all.
Post-Attack Safety Measures
When to Leave Shelter
Knowing when it’s safe to leave your shelter is critical:
- Remain in your shelter for at least 24 hours unless told otherwise by emergency officials
- In areas with heavy fallout, you may need to shelter for up to 14 days
- Listen to your emergency radio for official instructions about when it’s safe to go outside
- If you must leave the shelter before receiving instructions, limit your time outside and cover exposed skin
Evacuation Considerations
If authorities advise evacuation:
- Follow designated evacuation routes – avoid shortcuts as they may lead through contaminated areas
- Keep car windows and vents closed, and run the air conditioning on recirculate
- Cover exposed skin and wear a mask or respirator if available
- Bring only essential items and your emergency kit
- If using public transportation, follow all instructions from officials
Food and Water Safety
After a nuclear attack, contamination of food and water supplies is a serious concern:
Water Safety
- Sealed water bottles that were inside during the event are safe to drink
- Public water supplies may be contaminated – listen for official advisories
- If necessary, filter water through a clean cloth and boil for at least one minute
- Water purification tablets or unscented household bleach (8 drops per gallon) can be used if boiling isn’t possible
Food Safety
- Food in sealed containers (cans, bottles, plastic) that were inside during the event is safe
- Wash the outside of all containers before opening
- Do not consume any food that was left uncovered outdoors
- Garden vegetables should not be consumed until declared safe by authorities
Download Our Nuclear Emergency Supplies Checklist
Get our comprehensive checklist of all essential supplies needed to prepare for and survive a nuclear emergency.
Download Supplies Checklist
Managing Psychological Impact
The psychological impact of a nuclear emergency can be as challenging as the physical dangers. Here’s how to support your family’s mental health:
Supporting Children
- Provide age-appropriate information without unnecessary frightening details
- Maintain routines as much as possible, including regular meal and sleep times
- Allow children to express their feelings through talking, drawing, or play
- Limit exposure to media coverage of the event
- Reassure children that adults are working to keep them safe
Coping Strategies for Adults
- Focus on practical tasks that give you a sense of control
- Practice stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing or meditation
- Maintain connection with others in your shelter
- Limit consumption of news to official sources and scheduled times
- Acknowledge your feelings while maintaining a problem-solving mindset
“In a crisis, maintaining psychological resilience is as important as physical safety. Families who can manage stress and maintain hope are better equipped to make good decisions and support each other through the emergency.”
Nuclear Attack Myths and Facts
Common misconceptions about nuclear emergencies
How to Keep Your Family Safe During a Nuclear Attack FACTS
- Most people outside the immediate blast area would survive a nuclear attack
- Proper sheltering for 24-48 hours can save many lives
- Radiation levels drop quickly – by 80% in the first 24 hours
- Basic preparations can significantly increase survival chances
- Potassium iodide protects only the thyroid and only from radioactive iodine
MYTHS
- Everyone will die in a nuclear attack regardless of preparations
- Duct-taping windows provide adequate protection from radiation
- Radiation sickness is contagious
- You should evacuate immediately after a nuclear detonation
- Potassium iodide pills protect against all types of radiation
Additional Misconceptions
Myth: Cars provide good shelter from radiation
Fact: Vehicles provide almost no protection from radiation. The thin metal of a car cannot block harmful radiation. Always seek a solid building for shelter.
Myth: You need a special hazmat suit to survive
Fact: While protective gear can be helpful, proper sheltering is far more important. Removing and bagging outer clothing can eliminate up to 90% of contamination.
Myth: All radiation is immediately deadly
Fact: Radiation exposure effects depend on dose and time. Lower doses over short periods may cause mild symptoms or none at all. Distance and shielding significantly reduce exposure.
Myth: Nuclear winter would kill everyone anyway
Fact: While a large-scale nuclear war could cause climate effects, a single nuclear detonation would not trigger nuclear winter. Local preparation and response remain vital.
Essential Supplies Checklist for Nuclear Emergencies
Comprehensive emergency kit for nuclear preparedness
This checklist covers the most critical supplies for nuclear emergency preparedness. Make these items readily accessible in your home and consider creating a portable version for evacuation scenarios.
Water and Food
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day (14-day minimum)
- Non-perishable food (14-day supply)
- Manual can opener
- Mess kits, paper plates, cups, utensils
- Baby formula and food (if needed)
- Pet food and extra water (if required)
Medical and Safety
- First aid kit with manual
- Prescription medications (30-day supply)
- Potassium iodide (KI) tablets
- N95 respirator masks
- Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes
- Personal hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags and ties
Tools and Equipment
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio)
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust masks, plastic sheeting, and duct tape
- Moist towelettes and toilet paper
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Local maps and compass
Specialized Radiation Emergency Items
Protection Equipment
- Potassium iodide (KI) tablets – protect the thyroid from radioactive iodine
- Radiation detection devices (if available) – dosimeters or survey meters
- Heavy-duty plastic bags for contaminated clothing
- Soap, shampoo (no conditioner) for decontamination
Documentation
- Copies of personal documents in a waterproof container
- Family emergency contact information
- Cash and coins (ATMs may not work)
- Emergency reference materials (printed maps, guides)
Learn More About Radiation Emergency Preparedness
Visit the CDC’s Radiation Emergencies website for comprehensive information on protection, symptoms, and treatment.
Conclusion: Preparedness Is Key
While the prospect of a nuclear attack is frightening, being prepared significantly increases your family’s chances of survival. By understanding the basics of radiation protection, creating a comprehensive emergency plan, and gathering essential supplies, you can face this extreme scenario with greater confidence and resilience.
Remember the fundamental principles that can save lives: get inside, stay inside, and stay tuned. Know that radiation levels decrease rapidly over time and that proper sheltering during the critical first 24-48 hours provides the greatest protection.
Take action today to prepare your family. Download emergency plans, gather supplies, identify potential shelters, and discuss your strategy with all family members. These preparations will serve you well not only in nuclear emergencies but also in many other disaster scenarios.
“Preparedness, when properly pursued, is a way of life, not a sudden, spectacular program.”
Get the Complete Nuclear Emergency Guide
Download our comprehensive guide with printable checklists, shelter maps, and detailed instructions before, during, and after a nuclear emergency.
