Radiation and hazardous-material incidents

Radiation emergency

• Go indoors, stay indoors and tune in to official information.
• Close doors, windows and vents and turn off systems that draw air from outside.
• Move away from external walls where practical.
• Do not travel to collect family members if authorities say to shelter.
• Food, drink and tap water already indoors are initially safe unless officials say otherwise.

Hazardous-substance exposure

• If you think you have been exposed, move away from the source and into fresh air when it is safe to do so.
• Remove affected outer clothing as quickly as possible, taking care not to pull contaminated material over the face.
• Use dry absorbent material to soak up or brush off the substance. If the skin is itchy or painful, rinse it continuously with clean water instead. Follow responder instructions.
• Keep contaminated items away from other people and wait for professional advice.

Stable iodine

Stable iodine protects only the thyroid from radioactive iodine. It is not a general radiation antidote. Take it only when government or emergency responders direct the product, dose and timing for the incident.