The UK government has issued official advice on the steps to take in the unlikely event of a nuclear explosion near your home, including which spot in your home is the safest. The guidance is summarised in a three-word phrase: go in, stay in, tune in.
According to the advice, as soon as you become aware that you could be within close proximity of a radiation emergency, you should go indoors at home as soon as you are able. Once inside, all windows and doors should remain closed, and you should stay as far away from external walls as possible.
Safest place in your home
The safest place to be in your home is right in the middle of the building, keeping distance from any doors, windows and walls. By doing this, you will "avoid exposure from any radioactive material that has collected on the outside of the building."
Staying indoors reduces your risk of exposure to radiation. To further minimise risk, you should turn off any fans and air conditioning and close any air vents to prevent contamination.
According to Gov.uk, if you have been called to stay inside your homes, it may be the case that you need to stay indoors for up to one or two days.
Tuning in to official updates
Once you are safe indoors, the government advises that you are 'tuning in' to the news and any official announcements made by the UK government. By following the TV, radio, internet, and social media, you can stay informed; meanwhile, the police can also deliver important updates.
The government website states: "Breathing in radioactive materials. Direct exposure to radioactive material carried in the air and deposited on surfaces, clothing or skin. Eating or drinking food or water contaminated with radioactive materials."
Reality of survival
While it is good to be prepared, the reality is that if you are ever caught in the direct vicinity of a nuclear attack, your chances of survival are next to none. Intense heat emitted by an attack vaporises human tissue, and the radiation for those slightly further afield has the ability to cause longer, more painful deaths over the course of a few days or weeks.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament website states: "If a nuclear bomb were detonated, the heart of the nuclear explosion would reach a temperature of several million degrees centigrade. The resulting heat flash would literally vaporise all human tissue over a wide area. At Hiroshima, within a radius of half a mile, the only remains of most of the people caught in the open were their shadows burnt into stone."
