Radiation Emergencies: Protect Yourself, Your Family and Your Pets

Dear Colleagues,

In support of National Preparedness Month in September, CDC’s Radiation Studies Branch (RSB) will be highlighting information on the Radiation Emergencies website to help people understand what to do in a radiation emergency: Get Inside, Stay Inside and Stay Tuned.

                                  

The focus for this month is Radiation Emergencies: Protect Yourself, Your Family, and Your Pets.Different topics will be highlighted throughout the month:

• Protecting Your Family in a Radiation Emergency – If a radiation emergency occurs, you can take steps to protect yourself, your family and your pets.
• Medical Countermeasures (Treatments) – Seek assistance from medical professionals about medical treatments that may be available to limit or remove radioactive contamination.
• Make Sure Pets Are Safe in a Radiation Emergency – Bring pets inside with you, if you can. Bring indoors any supplies from outside that your pets might need for at least 24 hours.
• Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers – Pregnant women and nursing mothers should contact their health care providers for information on what to do in a radiation emergency.

The topics to highlight for National Preparedness Month were selected based on results from RSB’s ongoing efforts to learn more about the primary concerns of the public in the event of a radiation emergency. Recent international concerns about nuclear detonations has also produced an interest in these topics.

Addressing our audience concerns also highlight the importance of continued training (1) to strengthen the ability to prepare and respond to a radiation emergency and (2) to identify any gaps that may be helpful in improving how we respond to a radiation emergency. Focusing on the specific topics also allows for audiences to:

• Learn more about the topic by viewing the summary pages for more in-depth information.
• Get answers to commonly asked questions by exploring the Frequently Asked Questionssection on the website.
• Review products using the Resource Library which provides access to downloadable products for the public and reference tools for public health and other professionals.

Please feel free to pass this information along to other partners and colleagues.   Should you have comments or questions about RSB activities for National Preparedness Month, please contact the CDC Radiation Studies Branch at (770) 488-3800 or rsbinfo@cdc.gov.