What Can You Do to Be Prepared for a Nuclear Event?
With the tragic events that have occurred in Japan and the instability of the nuclear reactors in that country, people around the globe have begun to think about the outcome of a complete nuclear fallout. What will you do if the reactors melt down and you find yourself in the path of the radiation?
Many government officials have said not to prepare, as there is no danger. I wouldn’t ever take the “never prepare” approach. I would rather be over prepared than under prepared.
So what are some of the things you can do to prepare yourself and your loved ones? Follow these simple suggestions and you could have a fara better chance for survival.
Location, location, location. Your location is very important. The closer you are to the source of the radiation, the worse your chances are. This is one thing you may not have much influence over, however you can help to improve your chances by choosing the right place to bunker down.
Designate an area or location as your “fallout area.” This is important as it will be the place you will keep all of your supplies and “bunker” down while you wait for radiation levels to subside.
It is important to choose a room that is in the central area of your home as far as possible from the exterior walls of your home. Radiation will be able to pass though your walls, but the more objects and walls it has to pass through, the more energy is lost before it reaches you.
A room with no windows is best. If you really want to ensure that you have the best chance for survival, you can build up the iside of the room with bricks or cinder blocks to aid in blocking radiation.
It is vital to make sure you have enough supplies and the right kind of supplies. Keep a tool kit in your fallout area. This should include items such as a hammer, screwdrivers, a saw, nails and screws, and extra boards. You never know when you will need to fix something.
Another vital item is a complete first aid kit. In addition to the items that typically come in a first aid survival kit, make sure to include any medications that your or your family may need to survive, including insulin for diabetics, inhalers, etc… It may also be a good idea to include some anti-nausea medications and antibiotics.
Make sure you have enough food and water. Buy some extra 5 gallon jugs of water to keep in your fallout shelter. You should figure on keeping enough on hand for 15 days.
You never know how long you’ll need to stay bunkered down. Also make sure to have enough food for 15 days. Dry goods are always best as they have a long shelf life. Gather items such as peanut butter, crackers, beef jerky, canned foods that do not need cooking.
These items are great for maintaining calorie intake and being simple to prepare and consume. Make sure to have a can opener and utensils on hand.
It may also be a good idea to keep a bottle of multi-vitamins in your fallout area to ensure you are maintaining proper nutrition, as the healthier you are, the more likely you are to surviving the radiation levels.
Make sure all of your food and water is in a secure location. Large coolers or an old refrigerator will help to keep the radiation from infiltrating your food and water supply.
Now, since you will be eating and drinking, you will need to evacuate. It is important to have a designated area for your bathroom type items. You will likely not have a toilet, so buckets with bags and a large refuge container that has a tight seal is your best bet.
Make sure you have disinfectants and cleaners on hand. Baby wipes are fantastic as they can be used all over your body. Remember, you may not be showing for quite a while. A large box of garbage bags should be kept, not only for your bathroom needs, but the plastic can always come in helpful.
Make sure to have bedding and warm clothes for everyone involved. Sleep is vital to staying healthy, and you will want to make sure you’re warm at all times. Just because it’s August, doesn’t mean it will be warm. Radiation has drastic events on the weather and temperature that is often unpredictable.
Make sure to have a reliable radio and a ton of batteries. A radio really can be the most important item you have as it may be your only contact to the outside world. It will be important to stay up on any updates or details concerning your area and they safety of the outside world.
A heat source may be necessary. Make sure to have enough emergency candles on hand to last 15 days. You may even want to purchase a pellet stove and pellets. This will provide heat and a surface to cook on. Make sure you include a box of waterproof matches with your supply. Also, a flashlight can be a lifesaver.
Something people don’t think about is supplies to keep them busy. You have to keep sane during this time of great stress. Make sure you have paper, pens, even board games to keep you occupied. It is very easy for a person to lose it and want to leave the fallout area. Keep yourself busy at all times.
If you follow these steps, you may have a better chance of survival should a nuclear fallout scenario ever plaque you and your family.