DISASTER! - Homeland Security and Emergency Management ...

• multi-story building or high-rise - go to center of themiddle section of the building. Note: if the rooftop of abuilding next to you is on that same floor, move one floorup or down since radioactive fallout would accumulate onrooftops. Avoid the first floor (if possible) since falloutwill pile up on the ground outside.Indoor shelter shielding - Below are some ways to build an expedient lastminuteshelter in your home, apartment or workplace. Please realize thesetips are very basic things to help protect you from dangerous radiation.• Set up a large, sturdy workbench or table in locationyou’ve chosen (see previous page). If no table, make oneby putting doors on top of boxes, appliances or furniture.• Put as much shielding - furniture, file cabinets, appliances,boxes or pillowcases filled with dirt or sand, boxes offood, water or books, concrete blocks, bricks, etc. - allaround sides and on top of table, but don’t put too muchweight on tabletop or it could collapse. Add reinforcingsupports, if needed. (See previous page for shieldingmaterials and remember, the more shielding you use, thebetter protection you’ll have from radioactive fallout.)• Leave a crawl space so everyone can get inside and beprepared to block opening with shielding materials.• Leave 2 small air spaces for ventilation (about 4-6” each)- one low at one end and one high at other end. (Thisallows for better airflow since warm air rises.)• If you have time and ability to do so, add more mass orshielding materials (like earth) on the floor above you.Support or brace floor from below for the added weight.• Have water, detection devices, radio, food and sanitationsupplies in case you have to shelter for days or weeks.Ventilation - While inside a shelter you need to circulate fresh air in toreduce carbon dioxide buildup and help reduce heat. If shelter is aboveground, the natural flow of air through cracks or windows outside sheltercan help move stale warm air out, but basements and underground sheltersmay have trouble getting airflow. Some ways to improve airflow ...• open a door or window - consider opening a door or windowin another part of house or building to improve thenatural air circulation (but don’t expose yourself to falloutor high radiation levels and don’t open window in shelter)• air pump - by planning ahead you can purchase or makea portable pump (read App. B at www.oism.com/nwss)• directional fanning - make a strong 2-handled fan using120 www.itsadisaster.net or call 1-888-999-4325