Radiation or chemical incident: go in, stay in, tune in

Last checked 28 October 2026. Based on UK Health Security Agency guidance and GOV.UK Be Ready.

Go in

Get indoors as soon as you can, close the doors and windows, and stay away from outside walls. Cars and tents do not give enough shelter. If you are not at home, shelter where you are rather than travelling home.

Stay in

• Close outside doors, windows and vents, including the small trickle vents on window frames.
• Turn off fans and air conditioning.
• Do not go to collect children from school or nursery. Schools keep children safe indoors until it is safe to leave.
• Bring pets in if they are close by, but do not go out looking for them.
• Food and drink already indoors, including tap water, is safe unless you are told otherwise.
• If someone needs regular medicine while you shelter, call NHS 111 rather than going out.

Tune in

Follow official advice on local radio and TV, GOV.UK and your council's channels. Your phone may receive a UK Emergency Alert: a loud siren-like sound, even on silent, with a message read aloud. You do not need to sign up. Alerts are based on where your phone is, and they need the phone to be on and connected to 4G or 5G. A battery or wind-up radio, with local station frequencies written down, means you can still hear updates if phones are down.

If you were outside when it happened

Taking off your outer clothing can remove most contamination. Put it in a bag, then wash your skin and hair with soap or mild shampoo. Do not use conditioner, because it can hold particles in the hair. For a chemical, move away from it, ideally upwind, take outer clothes off without pulling them over your head, blot any substance off with dry paper towel, and rinse skin or eyes with plenty of water if they are irritated.

Iodine tablets

Stable iodine tablets only protect against one kind of radioactive material released from a nuclear reactor. They do not protect against other radiation. Homes near nuclear power stations are already given tablets, to take only when officials say so. Elsewhere, stocks are held and handed out if needed. Do not buy tablets online to take on your own, and never use iodised salt instead.

Get ready now

• Learn the three steps: go in, stay in, tune in.
• Keep 3 days of water and food at home, so a day or two indoors is easy. See how long your home would last.
• Keep your phone software up to date and leave Emergency Alerts switched on.
• Check your child's school has your numbers, and agree that you will not collect them during a shelter instruction.