How to protect yourself in case of an explosion at ZNPP
IT ClusterFor more than a year now, the news about the threat of a nuclear attack or a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been circulating in the Ukrainian information space. However, the situation has never been as serious as it is now.
Experts note that a possible catastrophe will be smaller than the explosion on April 26, 1986 at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, but it will not go unnoticed by each of us.
The only thing we can do now is to prepare for a possible catastrophe and to protect and provide ourselves and our families with everything we need as much as possible.
What to do in advance of a possible accident
1. Check your emergency suitcase
The emergency suitcase is a bag or backpack that contains the most necessary things in any critical situation.
2. Discuss with your family a specific plan of action on how you will act together in the event of an accident
3. Take care of a supply of drinking water in sealed containers for several days (10 days if possible)
4. Stockpile food and wrap food in plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator or cupboard
5. Have a battery-powered radio ready. There is a possibility that the Internet, communication, and electricity will not work in the affected area
6. Charge power banks and other devices if possible
7. Prepare foam for possible sealing of windows and doors
In case of a nuclear power plant accident
When you hear the alarm, immediately turn on the radio, TV, or Internet and listen to the message. Information about an explosion at a nuclear power plant should be reported by the SES or local authorities on official websites or in official channels on Viber, Facebook, or Telegram.
Official website of the State Emergency Service
If an explosion caught you on the street
If you notice a flash in the sky (or its reflection on surfaces), never look in that direction. This can cause corneal burns, flash blindness, and eye burns.
1. Lie down on the ground. Find a depression or ledge within a second’s reach where you can hide from the shock wave and debris.
! IMPORTANT ! Lie down with your legs facing the direction of the explosion, face down, and put your hands under you to protect them from burns and injuries. Try to cover all exposed parts of your body.
2. If possible, run for shelter, cover your mouth and nose with a mask, cloth, or handkerchief, and breathe through them.
! IMPORTANT ! These improvised means cannot fully protect against internal radiation, so getting to a shelter as soon as possible is essential.
If there is no specially equipped shelter nearby, a basement or large concrete buildings are suitable. Radioactive material settles on the outside, so you should stay away from the walls and roof as much as possible.
3. Take off your clothes carefully so as not to disturb the radioactive dust and put them in a sealed bag that should be kept away from people and pets. After that, you should decontaminate and wash all exposed areas of your body with soap and water – if possible, take a shower.
☝️ If you cannot shower, wash all exposed skin, especially your hands and face, with soap and plenty of water.
! IMPORTANT ! You can wash your hair with shampoo but without conditioner.
Tap water can be used to wash off radioactive contamination from skin and surfaces, but only if there have been no official notifications prohibiting its use!
☝️ If you do not have access to water, use a damp cloth, clean damp cloth, or damp paper towel. Wipe all exposed skin areas thoroughly.
! IMPORTANT ! Avoid strong friction of the skin, it can lead to skin damage and radionuclides entering the body.
If the explosion caught you in a car
- Stop the vehicle on a safe part of the road
- Block the airflow from the outside – close all windows, doors, hatches, and any possible openings
- Take a protective position: cover your head with your hands and put your elbows on your knees
- If possible, run for shelter, cover your mouth and nose with a mask, cloth, or handkerchief, and breathe through them.
! IMPORTANT ! These improvised means cannot fully protect against internal radiation, so getting to a shelter as soon as possible is essential.
If the explosion caught you in a building
The first thing to do is to make sure that no outside air gets into the room:
📌 close all windows, doors, and vents and seal them with tape or a damp cloth;
📌 turn off air conditioners and heaters.
If possible, move to rooms without windows.
Water and food safety
The most important rule is to consume only what is in sealed packaging. Safe are:
✅ water from closed bottles or coolers;
✅ individually wrapped food;
✅ canned food or food from jars;
✅ food from the refrigerator or freezer.
Iodine prophylaxis
! IMPORTANT! Iodine prophylaxis can be carried out only after official notification of its necessity. It is justified only if the radiation is caused by radioiodine.
Iodine prophylaxis consists of a single dose of tableted potassium iodide.
Second dose is provided in case of prolonged (more than 24 hours) or repeated exposure and if a person consumed contaminated food or water.
Rules for leaving the shelter
You can leave the shelter only after the official permission of the SES, executive authorities, or other official institutions, which you will receive on the official channels of the institutions or on the radio.
If there is a critical need to leave the shelter, wear the most closed and tight clothing possible.
! DO NOT !
❌ Undress in the street
❌ Sit on the ground
❌ Swim in open water
❌ Pick mushrooms or wild berries
❌ Smoking
When you return home, carefully remove your outer layer of clothing and place it in a plastic bag or airtight container.
The life of Ukrainians is full of historical events in the 21st century: The Orange Revolution, the Maidan, the annexation of Crimea and Donbas, COVID-19, the full-scale invasion of Russia, and now the nuclear threat.
Ukrainians have survived previous cataclysms and we are confident that they can do it again.
The most important thing to remember today is to act with a cool head and without panic, following the guidelines above.
Share these tips, because it could save someone’s life.
