Building and Finding a Fallout Shelter

Assess the building you are in. Multi-story concrete or brick buildings offer the best protection. The center of the building, away from the roof and outer walls, is safest. Each floor above you reduces radiation by roughly 50%.

If your current location offers poor protection (wood frame, mobile home, vehicle), move to a better structure ONLY if you can reach it within a few minutes. Basements of large buildings are ideal. Underground parking garages, subway stations, or tunnels also offer excellent protection.

Do NOT spend more than a few minutes outside searching for better shelter. Minutes of exposure matter.

If trapped in a less-than-ideal shelter, improvise additional shielding. Stack heavy furniture, books, or filled containers against exterior walls. Use earth, sand, or concrete blocks if available. Even a few inches of dense material significantly reduces radiation exposure.