Taking shelter is a protective measure set in the emergency response plan (PIU) that entails temporarily entering the closest home or building.
Any doors, windows and shutters must be closed and if possible heating, ventilation systems, air conditioning and air regulators switched off. If applicable, the rainwater collection system must also be shut off.
These actions can prevent radioactive substances from entering the building.
The radiation dose received inside a building is much lower than that received outside in the open air. For comparison: if the risk of irradiation is 100% outside when a radioactive cloud passes, it will vary between 10% and 30% inside a solid, enclosed building.
Rooms without windows or with very small windows should be given priority.
Remaining inside a building will therefore protect you from irradiation and avoid all contamination.
You are home, so stay there!
Any doors, windows and shutters must be closed and if possible heating, ventilation systems, air conditioning and air regulators switched off. If applicable, the rainwater collection system must also be shut off.
These actions can prevent radioactive substances from entering the building.
The shelter phase will last no longer than 48 hours.
You are strongly advised against leaving the building you are in without the approval of the authorities, regardless of whether your loved ones are with you or not. Do not try to rejoin your loved ones, neighbours or any other person who is not in your building as you risk being exposed to radioactivity when you go outside.
No. Cars and other constructions made of light metal don't provide effective protection against the radiation emitted by a radioactive cloud. Make your way to a solid, enclosed building as quickly as you can and stay there.
If you are required to take shelter you are strongly advised against leaving the building you are in without the approval of the authorities, regardless of whether your loved ones are with you. If applicable, do not attempt to pick your children up from school, as the teachers will take care of them. Do not try to meet up with your loved ones, as you could be exposed to dangerous levels of radiation by going outside.
The shelter phase will last no longer than 48 hours.
The effectiveness of taking shelter depends on
Yes, the school staff will look after them.
Do not attempt to collect your children from school as you will be dangerously exposed to radioactivity by going outside.
The shelter phase will last no longer than 48 hours.
If you were outside or went outside during the release phase in a nuclear emergency, you are potentially contaminated.
As soon as you take shelter in a building (if possible in a separate place to the living rooms) you should follow this advice:
Make sure you handle contaminated clothing with care and wear disposable gloves if possible.
If you went outside during the release phase, you are potentially contaminated. When radioactive substances are released into the atmosphere, radioactive aerosols are carried by the dominant winds, depending on the weather conditions.
Exposure to or contamination from radioactive substances can only be detected using special equipment for measuring radiation. This radiation cannot be detected without the equipment as it is odourless, colourless, invisible and tasteless.
In the event of a nuclear accident, the authorities will keep you informed about the contamination tests organised throughout the country via the media and official channels.
While a radioactive cloud passes over and also afterwards, animals are exposed to the same risk of contamination as people. You should therefore follow the same instructions as for humans: keep your dogs, cats and other pets inside a building if you are advised to take shelter.
If your pet has been outside during the nuclear alert, it could be contaminated. It must therefore be decontaminated before entering your home.
You can use water, soap and ordinary shampoo to decontaminate pets.
Wear waterproof clothing and disposable gloves to protect yourself when washing your pet.
You should take a shower yourself or at least wash your hands after decontaminating your pet.
If you were outside or went outside when a radioactive cloud passed over or shortly afterwards, you are likely to be contaminated, and could therefore contaminate your home.
As soon as you re-enter your home where you take shelter (if possible in a separate place to the living rooms):
Contaminated clothes can be machine washed.
Please note: you should handle contaminated clothing with care and wear disposable gloves if possible.
Contamination of your home by radioactive substances can only be detected using special equipment for measuring radiation.
This radiation cannot be detected without the equipment as it is odourless, colourless, invisible and tasteless.
By following the advice given to the question How can you stop your house from becoming contaminated?, you can significantly reduce the risk of contamination.
Individuals do not need to buy Geiger counters.
The national authorities have the necessary measurement equipment for monitoring the ambient air 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
These measurements are available at the site www.infocrise.lu.
No. The quantity of radioactivity deposited into the environment poses a greater contamination risk to groundwater than the water used for showers, which, moreover, drains through pipes.
Provisions stored inside a home or other building before the accident may be eaten.
However, fruit and vegetables that have been freshly harvested in a contaminated area should not be eaten.
You may eat fruit and vegetables from non-contaminated regions.
In principle tap water may be drunk, unless the authorities indicate otherwise.
Analysis will be carried out to verify the absence of contamination in mains water.
Depending on the results of this monitoring, the various food restrictions will, if applicable, be communicated to the population via the media and the website www.infocrise.lu.
Stockpiling food is not recommended.
In the event of a nuclear accident, the Crisis Cell can take different measures to protect the population. Taking shelter is one of these. However, this measure can only extend for a limited period, a maximum of 48 hours.
If the danger is likely to extend past 48 hours, the population in danger will be evacuated to a zone outside the danger zone where they will be cared for.
En cas d’accident nucléaire, les masques et vêtements de protection sont utilisés par les collaborateurs des services de secours qui interviennent de manière prolongée dans la zone contaminée par des matières radioactives.
Pour la population, le port d’un masque ou de vêtements de protection n’est pas nécessaire. La protection de la population est assurée à travers les mesures prévues dans le plan d’intervention d’urgence en cas d’accident nucléaire : la mise à l’abri, la prise d’iodure de potassium et l’évacuation.
If you cannot find the answer to your question, do not hesitate to contact us.
Last update
