Radiological and nuclear emergencies – Get prepared

Radiological or nuclear emergencies are unlikely because of the strict controls in place for the movement and use of radioactive materials and nuclear energy. However, international events have shown the significant impacts a radiological or nuclear emergency can have on people and the environment.

How to prepare before a radiological or nuclear emergency

In many ways, preparing for a radiological or nuclear emergency is similar to other emergencies.

• Make a household emergency plan. Consider the specific needs of all members of your household, including older adults, children, pets, and anyone with special health needs
• Prepare your emergency kit. Learn more about what items to put in your kit, including quick and easy steps you can take right away at no cost
  • Unless you live near a nuclear power plant, there is no need to include potassium iodide (KI) in your emergency kit
  • In addition to the items in a typical emergency kit, plastic sheeting and tape is recommended to create an airtight seal around windows and doors to prevent radioactive material from entering your home

Where to get information

• Check if your wireless phone is compatible with Alert Ready, Canada's emergency alerting system
• Local radio and television broadcasts will help you stay up to date with the latest local information

During a radiological or nuclear emergency

Go inside, listen for information, follow instructions

• GO inside the nearest building, at its centre or in its basement, and away from doors and windows and turn on your radio, television or computer
• LISTEN to media reports and official advice
• FOLLOW instructions provided by the local authorities

If you are instructed to shelter-in-place

Listen to instructions from local authorities and be prepared to shelter in place for at least 24 hours.

• Minimize the amount of outside air entering your home
• Close all doors, windows and fireplace dampers
• Turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring air in from outside
• Turn off appliances and stay indoors and away from windows and outside walls until advised otherwise

If you are outdoors when a nuclear weapon detonates

• Listen to and follow messages from official authorities; including shelter-in-place, evacuate, or take KI pills as warranted

If you are instructed to take potassium iodide (KI) pills

• You should only take potassium iodide (KI) pills if directly instructed to do so by public health authorities. KI pills are only helpful in specific situations and timeframes and can be harmful if used incorrectly

If you are instructed to evacuate

• Bring your emergency kit
• Listen to officials for information about routes, shelters, and procedures
• Once you have evacuated, do not return until you are told it is safe to do so

After a radiological or nuclear emergency

Immediately after a radiological or nuclear emergency:

• Whether you sheltered indoors or were outdoors, you may have been in contact with radioactive material
  • If instructed to do so, it's important that you remove contaminated clothing and wash yourself, especially parts of your body which may have been directly exposed
  • Follow advice from officials on how to safely wash and decontaminate yourself
• Communications services may be disrupted or unavailable
  • You should continue to seek out official advice through any available media channels, including cellphones, TV, and radio
• If you're sick or injured, listen for instructions from local authorities on how and where to get medical attention when they say that it is safe to leave your shelter
• Don't leave your individual shelters until you're instructed by local authorities, to avoid radiation exposure