Start here · Nuclear attackRight now: from the flash to 24 hours
Start here · Nuclear attack

Right now: from the flash to 24 hours

1 min read

  1. 0 sFlash

    Don't look at the light. Get down, face down, behind something solid. Cover your head and neck; hands under your body.

  2. SecondsBlast wave

    It arrives after the light: several miles out it travels ~1 mile every 5 seconds. Stay away from windows and glass.

  3. 2 minStay down

    At least 2 minutes, until the wind passes and debris stops falling.

  4. < 10 minGet inside

    The sturdiest building you can reach within minutes: basement or center. If there's none, your home.

  5. On enteringDecontaminate

    Outer clothing into a sealed bag. Shower with soap and shampoo, no conditioner.

  6. 24 hStay inside

    Close doors and windows; turn off air conditioning or heating that pulls in outside air.

  7. AfterStay tuned

    A battery or hand-crank radio. Leave or evacuate only when authorities say so, by the route they give.

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