Following uncertainty after recent attacks on Iran, the UK government has issued advice on what to eat and where to go in the event of a radiation emergency
With tensions running high following the recent strikes on Iran, concerns about nuclear attacks are mounting and people are questioning how they might possibly brace themselves for the worst-case – and highly improbable – scenario.
While a nuclear assault on Britain appears an extremely remote possibility, the government has provided guidance on what actions to take, what items to purchase and where to seek shelter during a radiation crisis. Without any access to retailers following an attack, these are the essential items you ought to be stockpiling in your cupboards or freezers ‘just in case’.
When radioactive substances settle across a region, the soil or water sources can taint crops, farm animals and drinking water supplies, according to the gov.uk website. This chiefly impacts fruit and leafy greens, which can become contaminated via their root systems.
Food provisions
Similarly, farm animals also risk consuming these contaminated plants from the ground, meaning meat and dairy produce will carry identical hazards.
Should this happen, it’s probable that food standards authorities will impose “precautionary restrictions within a defined area”, limiting the distribution of any crops, livestock and animal-derived products.
For forward planning, provisions you can rely on before or after an emergency include tinned goods and dehydrated foods. Real Simple have compiled the definitive guide for this, making sure you’re choosing foods that can still deliver some degree of nourishment and variety to your emergency meals.
Their recommendations for ‘pantry non-perishable’ items include peanut butter, crackers, nuts, cereal, dried fruits, tinned tuna, salmon, chicken, or turkey and tinned beans.
The government website explains: “For large releases from overseas nuclear facilities, it is possible that, if certain weather conditions occur, radioactive material carried by the wind may land in some parts of the UK.
“If this happens, it is possible that levels of contamination may be high enough to require restrictions on the sale of contaminated crops, livestock and dairy products within a defined area.”
Water
Should a radioactive emergency occur, water treatment facilities may halt extraction from rivers, lakes or wells in affected regions to safeguard operations. This could seriously impact water supplies once existing treated reserves run dry.
While water companies have contingency plans to supply alternative safe drinking water, including bottled supplies, your best bet would be building up your own reserves.
Bottled water is commonly deployed during local supply disruptions, so whether it’s a nuclear incident or not, having a stockpile could prove invaluable at some point.
Additional guidance
Meanwhile, Real Simple highlights several cooking essentials you might not have thought about, particularly if gas, power or electricity become unavailable. They suggest keeping a backup generator for such scenarios, whilst a portable camping stove or oven could be extremely beneficial.
“If you’re trapped indoors, keep a tin of Sterno to hand,” the website advises. “It’s essentially heat in a can. It requires no electricity and can warm up small amounts of food in cookware.”
Regarding where to stay safe, the UK government recommends remaining indoors, with all windows and doors sealed. The most secure location, they maintain, you can shelter in your home is at the centre of the building, as distant from any exterior walls as possible.
By doing this you’re helping to “avoid exposure from any radioactive material that has collected on the outside of the building.”
If you’ve been ordered by authorities to stay within your homes, it could well be that you’ll be there for several days, so having these provisions ready will prove invaluable.
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