Today, the topic of radiation safety in Ukraine has received extreme publicity. The threat of radiation damage actually exists due to constant shelling of nuclear power plants, of which there are four on the territory of our state. But experts reassure: most likely, the catastrophe will be avoided at least because the nuclear power plants were designed taking into account many influence factors. Nevertheless, it is worth knowing what to do in the event of an explosion, so as not to waste precious time panicking.

Will distance from the object save you?

Even if you are far enough from the epicenter of the explosion, this is not a reason to do nothing. In general, radiation can be primary or secondary. It is the second type that can spread over a large distance in the form of fallout. The largest radioactive particles hit the earth's surface within an hour after the disaster, but the smaller ones remain in the clouds and are carried by the wind for a very long time. That's why, in the case of the worst-case scenario, residents from all regions of our country must urgently take action.

Procedure immediately after the explosion

You will be informed of an explosion at a nuclear power plant by an alarm. In order not to confuse it with other types of audio notifications of danger to the public, you should turn on your television or radio. In a few minutes you will receive full instructions on what to do. If you are far away from home, use the Diia app, which has access to national TV channels.

If you have just learned about the radiation hazard, follow this plan of action:

  • Close all windows and wear a respirator or mask for maximum respiratory protection. Also cover all exposed skin.
  • Move to a room with no windows and ideally no ventilation. The best option is to wait out the first few hours after the explosion in the bathroom by covering the air vents with a cotton cloth (to reduce the concentration of gases). After that, the "filter" will definitely need to be disposed of.
  • Take your pets and things necessary for the first time to the shelter (only hermetically sealed and those that were not outside).
  • Try to avoid open wounds, as they can allow radiation to enter your body more quickly.
  • Do not use conditioners, balsams, or hairsprays. They can lock radiation dust into your hair.
  • Follow the instructions from the State Emergency Service.

If a disaster occurs while you are out in the open, you must immediately find a building and hole up in it as deep as possible. Radiation settles on the outer surface, so after you get home, you should get rid of all the clothes you were wearing at the time of the explosion. No matter how much the clothes cost, dispose of them - they are deadly! Take them off carefully so as not to shake radioactive dust onto the floor and hide them in a sealed container or plastic bag.

Also, do not sit on any objects, especially the floor outside. Do not undress and under no circumstances collect fruit/vegetables from the open area.

Be sure to take a shower with soap. If this is not possible, at least wipe your face, eyelids, hands, ears and all exposed body parts with wet wipes. Experts say that even after the explosion you can take a shower because the radioactive material is diluted to a minimally harmful level when it enters the body of water.

How to prepare for a disaster in advance?

Right now you can make it a lot easier for yourself by taking simple steps to avoid radiation exposure in an explosion:

  • Make sure you have rubber clothes and shoes. If you need to leave your shelter, it will be the best option.
  • Prepare bottled water and hide it away from windows. It is this that can be used as clean water immediately after a disaster.
  • Buy canned food. Food in your refrigerator and freezer will also be considered safe. Wipe containers and kitchen utensils with a damp cloth before eating. After use, place it in a bag as far away as possible from living creatures.
  • Buy potassium iodide at the pharmacy.

When to take iodine?

During an explosion at a nuclear power plant radioactive iodine enters the air completely destroying the human thyroid gland. The only way to save this vital organ from damage is to fill it with ordinary, radiation-free iodine. Potassium iodide is the optimal and available drug for this purpose.

It is extremely important to know about how to take this drug. First, you must remember that potassium iodide is effective 6 hours before and 6 hours after a radioactive cloud hits your city. This primarily applies to settlements located within a radius of up to 100 kilometers from the epicenter of the explosion. The state has already purchased these pills and will dispense them at special points as needed.

Second, the drug is taken once in the dosage established for your age category. It is not necessary to take it as a preventive measure as it will weaken the thyroid gland and the effect of the pill will change to the opposite. You can familiarize yourself with the dosage below:

  • Infants younger than 1 month of age and breastfed babies - 16 mg.
  • Children aged 1 to 3 months - 32 mg.
  • Children aged 3 to 12 years - 62.5 mg.
  • Persons aged 13 to 40 years, pregnant and nursing women - 125 mg.
  • Persons over 40 years of age - do not take.

Never use Lugol's solution or alcoholic iodine solution. You will only hurt yourself!

Your task now is not to panic and calm your loved ones. Right actions will help you to avoid dire consequences and you already know what you need to do to save yourself.