Nuclear accident & chemical accident
Find out now: How far away is the nearest nuclear power plant — including across the border? (The risk map helps.) In a serious accident, wind can carry radioactive material from 50–65 km away to you within 1–3 hours. Chemical accidents (industry, hazardous goods on motorways, main roads or railways) are possible almost anywhere.
The most important difference:
| Hazard | Where to go in the house? |
|---|---|
| Radioactivity | down and inwards: basement or windowless inner room |
| Chemicals / toxic gas | upwards: many gases are heavier than air and collect low down |
Nuclear accident / radioactive release — action card
- Get indoors immediately. Anyone who was outside: take off outer clothing at the door, put it in a bin bag, tie it up, put it outside. Shower, wash your hair.
- Close windows and doors, switch off ventilation/cooker hood, close the chimney/flue.
- Go to the basement or an inner room. Turn on the radio (regional public broadcaster), watch for warnings on your phone (Cell Broadcast, your country's warning app — in Germany: NINA; see region box).
- Keep pets indoors. If they were outside: wipe their fur with a damp cloth, wash their paws, dispose of the cloth.
- Eat nothing from the garden, no rainwater; tap water only once the authorities say it is safe (use your supplies).
- Stay indoors until the authorities say otherwise — this can be hours to a few days. Evacuate only when ordered.
Iodine tablets — CAUTION, rules differ by country
- Iodine tablets protect only the thyroid against radioactive iodine, not against other radiation.
- Take them only when the authorities explicitly tell you to (radio, warning app) — not before, not "just in case".
- Distribution, age limits and dose are decided by each country. Follow the official civil-protection authority of your country (see region box).
- Example Germany (do not apply elsewhere without checking): the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) advises that people over 45 should not take iodine tablets, because the risk of side effects outweighs the benefit; adults aged 18–45 take 130 mg potassium iodide once (e.g. 2 tablets of 65 mg) — exactly as instructed by the authorities. The emergency folder counts this out automatically for the household you entered (German rule).
- Anyone with a known thyroid condition: clarify with your doctor beforehand and note it here: ……
- Pets: do not give them human iodine tablets.
Chemical accident / toxic cloud — action card
- Get into the nearest building immediately. If you notice a smell or irritation outdoors: move away crosswind, not through the cloud.
- Close windows and doors, switch off ventilation, seal gaps around doors with damp cloths.
- Go to an upper floor, into a room on the side facing away from the wind. Not into the basement.
- Improvised respiratory protection: a damp cloth over mouth and nose.
- After contact with substances: remove clothing, rinse skin and eyes with water for 15 minutes. Symptoms (breathlessness, burning, nausea) → 112 (EU-wide; other countries see region box).
- Follow radio and warning app; ventilate only after the all-clear.
Prepare (once)
- Iodine tablets according to your country's rules (Germany: only for people up to 45, pharmacy, 65 mg) — not for older people
- Have a roll of tape, plastic sheeting, bin bags and damp cloths ready
- Know how to switch off the ventilation system, air conditioner and cooker hood: ……
- FFP2 masks (help against dust/particles, not against gases)