90 Seconds to Midnight — Getting Ready for a Nuclear Event

How to prepare for a nuclear fallout

Photo by Andy Cat on Unsplash

Hey there. The doomsday clock has just been set to 90 seconds to midnight.

That’s really close, and it means the risk of something really bad happening, like a nuclear event, is higher.

So, let’s talk about how to get ready for such a situation. This might seem a bit heavy, but it’s super important to know.

What Is Nuclear Radiation?

Radiation from a nuclear bomb can be scary, but knowing a bit about it can help. There are three main types of radiation:

1. Alpha Radiation: This is the least harmful type. It can be stopped by a piece of paper. But if you breathe it in or swallow it, it can hurt you from the inside.
2. Beta Radiation: This is made of electrons and can go through your skin but not much further. Clothes or a thin piece of metal can block it.
3. Gamma Radiation: This is the worst type. It’s like energy that can go through many materials, including your body. It can cause serious harm inside your body.

Gamma radiation is the one we need to worry about the most because it can travel far and get through things like walls.

What Is Fallout?

When a nuclear bomb goes off, it throws a lot of radioactive particles into the air. These particles, called fallout, eventually fall back down to the ground. Here’s what happens:

• Prompt Radiation: This hits right away, within microseconds of the explosion. It includes gamma rays and neutron radiation.
• Fallout: These are the radioactive particles that come down from the sky after the explosion. They can be tiny like sand or big like marbles.

Types of Nuclear Explosions

• Ground Burst: This is when the bomb explodes on or near the ground. It creates a lot of fallout because it kicks up a lot of dirt and debris.
• Air Burst: This happens higher up in the air. It has less fallout but more immediate radiation effects.

What to Do Right After a Nuclear Explosion

1. Find Shelter Fast: Get inside a building, preferably one with a basement. The more walls and dirt between you and the outside, the better.
2. Seal Your Shelter: Use plastic and duct tape to cover windows, doors, and vents. This helps keep out radioactive particles.
3. Stay Updated: Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio to listen for news and instructions from authorities.

Making a Fallout Shelter

You can make a good fallout shelter with stuff around your house. Dirt, water, and thick materials like concrete are great for blocking radiation.

• Basement Shelter: Pile dirt outside the walls of your basement. Inside, stack heavy stuff like books or furniture against the walls.
• Improvised Shelters: Use anything heavy to create barriers. You can fill bags with dirt or even use stacks of books.

Things You Need in Your Shelter

1. Radiation Detector: A Geiger counter or dosimeter can help you know how much radiation is around.
2. Food and Water: Have at least two weeks’ worth of food and water stored.
3. Medical Supplies: Keep first aid kits, any needed medications, and potassium iodide tablets, which help protect your thyroid from radiation.
4. Protective Gear: Gas masks and protective suits can keep you from breathing in or touching radioactive particles when you have to go outside.

Thinking About the Long Term

Radiation can cause problems long after the explosion. It can lead to cancer and other health issues. Know the signs of radiation sickness: feeling sick, throwing up, losing hair, and getting burns. If you notice these, get medical help right away.

So, yeah, thinking about a nuclear event is pretty scary, but being ready can really help. The key is to prepare before anything happens and to stay informed if it does. Take these steps to keep yourself and your family safe. It’s all about being prepared and staying calm.

Thank you for reading!