National Preparedness Month: Radiation Emergencies

Protect Yourself and Your Family in a Radiation Emergency
Get Inside. Stay Inside. Stay Tuned.

In support of National Preparedness Month in September, CDC’s Radiation Studies Branch (RSB) is highlighting information on the Radiation Emergencies website to help the public, public health, and medical communities prepare for a radiation emergency.

The focus for this month is Radiation Emergencies: Protect Yourself, Your Family and Your Community. A different topic is highlighted throughout the month:

Preparedness Starts in Your Community--Talk with your family and friends about what to do in a radiation emergency.
Community Preparedness is the Key to Your Health and Safety—Preparedness starts at home, in your community, workplaces and schools. Ask questions about sheltering in place and other actions you can take in a radiation emergency.
Protect Yourself, Your Family and Your Community—Work together with community members to promote awareness of available resources for radiation emergencies.

Be Prepared for a Radiation Emergency

What can you do before a radiation emergency happens so that you are prepared? At home, put together an emergency kit that would be appropriate for any emergency. A battery-powered or hand crank emergency radio, preferably a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio is important to have for any emergency situation.

Check with your community leaders, child's school, the nursing home of a family member, and your employer to see what their plans are for dealing with a radiation emergency.