This is the Best Thing to Do in Case of a Nuclear Attack

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, then you know North Korea has been making numerous threats of launching a nuclear war against its neighbors, the US, and even Australia. Some believe these are mere empty threats, but should we really just ignore the rogue nation that seems to be conducting more and more nuclear tests every week?

We say it pays to be knowledgable of what to do in any possible situation – nuclear attacks included. And it turns out that the simplest thing to remember is this: ‘Don’t run. Get inside.’

There is a need to inform the public about what’s best to do during a nuclear attack.

According to a report by MSN , U.S. emergency and public health establishments are all in agreement that this is the best warning to give to the public. But the report also points out the lack of efforts in getting the word out.

Irwin Redlener, director of Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness, told MSN:

“There is a lot of fatalism on this subject, the feeling that there will be untold death and destruction and there is nothing to be done. But the thing that is frustrating for me is that, with some very simple public messaging, we could save hundreds of thousands of lives in a nuclear detonation.”

Instead of running to find a safer place, just stay inside and take cover.

Countless works of fiction, like disaster novels and movies, have taught us to join hundreds of people in a chaotic rush for the hills, or any other place with radiation-free air, the minute a nuclear attack strikes. But experts say doing so might just bring more harm than good. Just imagine the gridlock it would create on the roads, making finding an escape route nearly impossible.

Doing so is the safer course of action.

Your best bet isn’t to run. It’s to stay inside, or at least find cover if you’re outside. Even under a car is better than staying in the open air. According to ready.gov, the website created by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security:

“Go as far below ground as possible or in the center of a tall building. The goal is to put as many walls and as much concrete, brick and soil between you and the radioactive material outside.”

The site also recommends staying indoors for at least 24 hours, unless you are told by authorities to do otherwise. It might be tempting for parents to run after their kids in school, but it would be best for both parties to stay inside.

Stay inside at least 24 hours unless instructed otherwise by authorities.

In 2010, the Los Angeles area conducted a nuclear threat exercise called Operation Golden Phoenix. Findings showed that 285,000 could die or get radiation sickness, but the majority of those (about 240,000) would be spared if they could take cover in basements or more substantial shelters.

Share this simple warning and help people stay informed.

There’s still a big gap between what experts and the general public know about the best course of action during a nuclear attack. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so keep this simple warning in mind: Don’t run, get inside, and take cover. Share this, too. You never know when it can help save a life.