Yes. They are being looked after by the education staff members who will receive special instructions from the authorities.
Infants - child-care structures
In the event of a nuclear accident, there are two separate phases:
- the threat phase : radioactive release possible, but not imminent
When radioactive release on the national territory is possible but not imminent, the standby signal is triggered. In this threat phase, the emergency response plan in the event of a nuclear accident is activated. The signal is a warbling tone lasting one minute.
- the release phase : risk of radioactive cloud
When a radioactive contamination on national territory is imminent, the nuclear alert signal is triggered. The signal is a warbling tone lasting one minute, interrupted by two breaks of 12 seconds. In this release phase, a radioactive cloud is in the process of forming near the power plant.
Further information
The children have been at a child-care structure since the nuclear alert was raised. Are they safe?
For how long should children stay at the child-care structure?
If the population is advised to take shelter, children will stay at the child-care structure until the measure is lifted by the authorities.
The maximum duration of the shelter phase is 48 hours.
Are child-care structures equipped with enough potassium iodide tablets for both children and staff?
Yes. All childcare structures have enough potassium iodide tablets. These supplies were provided for in the distribution plan of each commune, the administration responsible for distributing the tablets to the population.
Individual packets, each containing a blister pack of 10 tablets, were distributed to schools in sealed boxes with an instruction leaflet for school staff.
You do not wish to leave your children at the child-care structure. Who should you contact to get permission to pick them up?
In the event of a nuclear accident the population is requested to follow the authorities' instructions. The measures laid out in the government's emergency response in the event of a nuclear accident aim to protect the whole population of the country. How successful it is depends on the cooperation of everyone involved, including parents.
Children are safe at the child-care structure and will be looked after by the education staff members.
Do not try to pick your children up as you risk exposing yourself to dangerous radioactivity.
The shelter phase will last no longer than 48 hours.
If an evacuation is organised within the primary planning zone (viz. in a 15 km radius from the Cattenom nuclear power station), the population will be forbidden from entering this zone.
In the event of an evacuation, will my child be evacuated with his/her child-care structure?
Yes. The evacuation of schools is part of the response plan.
If an evacuation is organised within the primary planning zone (viz. in a 15 km radius from the Cattenom nuclear power station), the population will be forbidden from entering this zone.
Your child is at the child-care structure. Are you allowed to pick your child up?
Yes. During the threat phase, you may pick your child up. Children will bring their box of iodine tablets.
However, this will not be possible during the release phase in order to guarantee your safety and that of your loved one. Children will be looked after by the education staff members. They will organize the return of the children to their homes by public and school transport.
In the event of a nuclear alert, leave your children at the child-care structures. They will be looked after by the personnel for the duration of the nuclear alert. Do not try to pick your children up as you risk exposing yourself to dangerous radioactivity.
Children will take shelter in the child-care structures in the unlikely event that imminent substance release would make their return home impossible.
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