The Prepper Journal

11 Essentials For Your Nuclear Disaster Prep Kit

If you are an avid prepper, disaster preparedness will definitely include readiness for a nuclear and chemical attack. These events are rare, but you cannot overlook their possibility, specifically in the prevailing volatile circumstances. Even newbie preppers are more conscious about prepping for a nuclear disaster because the threat is more real than ever. The magnitude of the risks that follow these events can be far more daunting than you imagine.

The survival scenario during such disasters is far more complex than in other events such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, wars, and terrorist attacks. Surviving a blast and the fallout that follows is no mean feat because the safety and well-being of your loved ones are under threat. But the apt preparation and know-how can come to your rescue. Everything boils down to having the essentials in your prep kit. Here is a list you should not miss out on.

Water

Before anything else, you will require the basics to get through a nuclear disaster. Water is on top of the checklist because you need it for drinking and sanitation. You must have enough to cook and drink and rinse off radioactive fallout from your body. It is important to clean the exposed skin because it minimizes the risk of radiation exposure. Experts recommend having at least one gallon of water per person per day in reserve for the survival situation. Bottled water is safe because it is packaged before the disaster, so you need not worry about the radioactive material.

Food

11 Essentials For Your Nuclear Disaster Prep Kit - The Prepper Journal

Like water, food is another essential for any emergency kit. You will probably have to stay in for a few days after the first blast, so have enough supplies for your family members. Packaged food is the safest for the same reason as packaged water. Look for non-perishable and nutritious items to keep you full and healthy while cooping inside your home. The last thing you should do is use veggies from your kitchen garden because they will surely be contaminated. In fact, you must steer clear of using fresh fruits and veggies for a long time. Wait for the orders from the authorities before you start cooking with them again.

Essential medications

Disaster preparedness is about being ready for the worst, so you must stock up on your essential medications. Have enough to carry you for several days because the home is the safest place after a nuclear event. Consider storing medicines for common health conditions like fever, cough and cold, diarrhea, allergies, and pain. You must also stock up on prescription medications for everyone in the family because you cannot afford to run out of them during an emergency. Plan for the special needs of the elderly, the little ones, and sick family members. Besides the essential medications, keep a well-stocked first-aid kit at hand to deal with unexpected injuries.

Potassium Iodide tablets

Surprisingly, a pack of pills can offer viable protection against the aftereffects of fallout. Potassium iodide pills can prevent the absorption of radioactive iodine by the thyroid gland. It lowers the chances of getting thyroid cancer and other diseases due to nuclear exposure. So you must have a few packs of these tablets in your kit. Also, know how to dose them for your family members. However, remember that potassium iodide protects only the thyroid and not the rest of the body from the radiation. You still have to follow the other essential precautions like staying indoors and avoiding the use of contaminated water and food after fallout for an optimal time.

Personal protection equipment

The best way to stay safe during a disaster and fallout is by staying inside. Even better, coop up in your basement because the exposure is likely to be minimum there. But you will have to evacuate eventually if in a war-like situation. The good thing is that radiation levels drop after a couple of weeks, and you can leave for safer grounds once the local authorities allow moving. But you must buy personal protection equipment like gas masks and hazmat suits to protect yourself from the radiation that still persists in the atmosphere. Consider these accessories, as a small investment for the health and safety of your loved ones. 

A radiation filter

Although radiation levels drop consistently after the initial event, you cannot expect the area to be safe altogether for the foreseeable future. Having a radiation filter in your nuclear preparedness kit is a good idea as it protects you even if your area is subject to radiation exposure for the long haul. The device removes radioactive particles such as Radium, Radon 222, Cesium 137, Uranium, Strontium, Plutonium, and radioactive iodine from the water. You cannot rely on packaged drinking water forever, so a filter is essential to resume your supply in the long run.

A battery-powered radio

Communication is another essential factor when it comes to nuclear disaster survival. The event can cut you off as you have to hunker indoors, but a battery-powered radio keeps you connected. A hand-cranked device is the best option. You can use it to get emergency broadcasts and instructions from the local authorities. Besides using the radio inside your shelter, you will also require it during evacuation to find the safest exit routes to get out of the fallout zone. Although a cellphone may suffice, radio is always better because cell towers may be affected due to the electromagnetic pulse, power outages, or high demand.

Decontamination supplies

Your nuclear disaster kit must also have adequate decontamination supplies. Surprisingly, cleaning up can lower the risk of nuclear exposure to a significant extent. You must do it first thing after the blast, so it is vital to have enough supplies to clean yourself properly. You do not require a long list, as only soap, water, and moist towelettes suffice. You may even find products for radioactive decontamination, but procuring them is not easy. They are not available to consumers but are sold to first responders. However, you may look around for options if you foresee an impending nuclear disaster in your area.

Plastic bags, gloves, and accessories

It is easy to overlook smaller stuff when you think about the essentials for nuclear preparation. But these items can be lifesavers in the long run. You must have enough plastic bags at home as you will require them for disposing of contaminated clothing, wipes, and gloves. Look for ones you can mark and seal so that it is easy to identify nuclear waste for you and the others. But trash bags are also good to manage if you do not have sealable ones. You only need to be careful while disposing of the contaminated stuff because it can be harmful. Also, have disposable vinyl gloves to handle and wash things after the fallout.

Plastic sheeting and duct tape

Although your home is the safest place to be after the disaster, you cannot rely only on the concrete walls to offer protection from the atmospheric radius. Choose a room without windows and ventilators to keep the harmful radiation out. Even better, take shelter in the basement because the risk is minimal underground. But you must go the extra mile to seal the area. So you must have plastic sheeting and duct tape in your emergency kit to cover the openings and keep the harmful particles out. The simple practice can be lifesaving, so do not skimp on the basics.

General emergency supplies

Do not forget the general emergency supplies, as you will require them inside the shelter and during the evacuation. You can check your regular emergency planning checklist to ensure everything is in place. The list is a long one and has simple stuff, so it is easy to miss out on these essentials. You must be extra careful about stocking up on these items. A flashlight, batteries, and matches are on the top of the checklist. You must also have a multi-tool device to handle tasks like opening cans and repairing small stuff at home. Have extra clothing and shoes, sleeping bags, cash, emergency contact information, and copies of personal documents, such as proof of address, birth certificates, passports, and insurance policies at hand when you need to evacuate. A whistle in your kit can help first responders locate you if you are stuck somewhere. Disaster preparedness is not a one-time thing, so you cannot leave it to chance. It becomes even more critical when planning for safety against a nuclear event. You must stay ahead of your supplies and take stock often to ensure you have everything. Preparing in advance always gives you an advantage because you cannot expect to gather stuff after a disaster hits. If you have a kit ready, you will not need to step out and expose yourself to the dangerous radiation. The good thing is that you do not have to spend a fortune on these essentials, so you need not worry about the expense. But having these items can save you and your loved ones even during the most critical situations.

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