If warned of an imminent attack, immediately get inside the nearest building and move away from windows. This will help provide protection from the blast, heat, and radiation of the detonation.

If you are outdoors when a detonation occurs take cover from the blast behind anything that might offer protection. Lie face down to protect exposed skin from the heat and flying debris. If you are in a vehicle, stop safely, and duck down within the vehicle.

After the shock wave passes, get inside the nearest, best shelter location for protection from potential fallout. You will have 10 minutes or more to find an adequate shelter.

Be inside before the fallout arrives. The highest outdoor radiation levels from fallout occur immediately after the fallout arrives and then decrease with time.

Stay tuned for updated instructions from emergency response officials. If advised to evacuate, listen for information about routes, shelters, and procedures.

If you have evacuated, do not return until you are told it is safe to do so by local officials.

Immediately after you are inside shelter, if you may have been outside after the fallout arrived:

Remove your outer layer of contaminated clothing to remove fallout and radiation from your body.

Take a shower or wash with soap and water to remove fallout from any skin or hair that was not covered. If you cannot wash or shower, use a wipe or clean wet cloth to wipe any skin or hair that was not covered.

Clean any pets that were outside after the fallout arrived. Gently brush your pet’s coat to remove any fallout particles and wash your pet with soap and water, if available.

It is safe to eat or drink packaged food items or items that were inside a building.

Do not consume food or liquids that were outdoors uncovered and may be contaminated by fallout.

If you are sick or injured, listen for instructions on how and where to get medical attention when authorities tell you it is safe to exit.

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.

IONIZING 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.

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.

The unfortunate truth is that there is little that can be done to ensure the survival of our people in the event of nuclear war, should our nation be near a nuclear blast radius. When or if ever should nuclear war happen, there is no room for hesitation or letting panic get the better of you. When government instructions are given, act instantly. There is no time to be gathering belongings or saying goodbyes.