7 things the US government says you should never do after a nuclear explosion, from using conditioner to hiding in your car

Dmitry Dub/Associated Press

In early August, a mysterious nuclear explosion killed at least seven people at a Russian military site.
Less than two weeks later, the US began testing a cruise missile, stoking fears that the two nations could be headed toward another nuclear arms race.
In the event of a nuclear explosion on American soil, the US government offers some guidelines for how to seek shelter.
US government agencies have also warned against certain practices, like eating food that’s been left outside or using conditioner in your hair.
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A mysterious explosion that killed at least seven people at a Russian military site has reignited concerns about the threat of nuclear warfare.

US officials believe the explosion could be the result of a failed test of a nuclear missile Russia is developing called "Skyfall."

Shortly after the explosion, authorities in the city of Severodvinsk reported a brief spike in the area’s radiation levels. Residents of a nearby town were also told to evacuate, but the orders were soon cancelled.

Less than two weeks later, the US performed its own test launch of a cruise missile off the coast of California. Russia and the US recently dissolved their Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which prohibited both nations from possessing, producing, or testing thousands of land-based missiles.

In the unlikely event of a nuclear explosion in the US, the government has some guidelines for how to respond — including a few warnings about things you should never do. Here’s what to know.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), you should never seek shelter in your car.

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Nuclear blasts set off a flash of light, a giant orange fireball, and shockwaves that can topple buildings. But a longer term threat comes in the minutes and hours after that explosion.

Nuclear explosions can produce clouds of radioactive dust and ash that disperse into the atmosphere — what’s referred to as nuclear fallout. Exposure to this fallout can result in radiation poisoning, which can damage the body’s cells and ultimately prove fatal.

The debris takes about 15 minutes after an explosion to reach ground level, so it’s important to find shelter right away.

FEMA advises not to shelter in your vehicle, though. Cars’ glass windows and metal frames make them too flimsy to protect you from nuclear fallout. Driving away is also futile, since it’s tough to anticipate where the radiation will travel.

The one exception to this rule is ducking inside your car in an underground parking garage, which could provide an added layer of protection.

Once you’re inside, don’t stand near the windows.

Flickr / VANKUSO

FEMA identifies brick or concrete buildings — particularly those with basements — as the safest forms of shelter. Buildings with few to no windows, such as a school or office, are ideal shelters if there’s a threat of nuclear fallout. Mobile homes, however, are considered too fragile to offer enough protection.

If you take cover in multi-story building, choose a central location and steer clear of the top and bottom floors.

If your structure does have windows, FEMA advises standing far away from them, in the center of a room. That’s because shockwaves can shatter windows up to 10 miles from an explosion, resulting in flying glass that could injure people who are too close.

If you’ve been evacuated, don’t try to return home until officials say it’s safe.

John Locher/AP

Nuclear fallout gives off the most radiation during the first few hours after an explosion, so it’s important to stay indoors.

FEMA advises people to stay put inside their place of shelter until they receive instructions from emergency-response officials.

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