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When purchasing a home, there a lot of things to consider. What area of the United States do you want to live? Do you want to be in the country or in the city? Are you going to rent or own, and will it be an apartment or a house? If you have kids, how important is being in a certain school district, near a park, or in a community that has lots of activities for your kids? How about if the place you want to live as a nuclear power plant?
With 65 active nuclear power plants, across the United States, roughly over 2 million people live within a 10 to 15-mile radius of a nuclear power plant. When some think of living next to a power plant, there are concerns about cancer risks, genetic defects, and strange reactions that have been seen in nuclear disaster movies. The best thing to do, if you’re considering living near a nuclear power plant, is to research and become knowledgeable about nuclear power plants.
That sounds like a lot of work for what should be an easy answer. Below you’ll find information regarding the safety of nuclear power plants, identifying if you live near a nuclear power plant, and tips you should have if you made the choice to live near one. Once you’ve decided that it’s okay to live near a nuclear power plant, there are terms you should know, special instructions for children, and what you should include in a safety kit, just in case.
How Safe Is A Nuclear Power Plant?
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One big question you might ask yourself is how safe is a nuclear power plant? Safer than you might expect. Let’s keep in mind the number of safety measures in place at a nuclear power plant. The building itself is constructed to hold radioactive matter and to withstand natural disasters. People who work at nuclear power plants are specially trained to work with radioactive material and what to do in case of an accidental radiation leak.
It is also very important to understand any and all alerts you might hear when living next to one. These are listed in order from what is not likely an issue to when you really need to pay attention for important instructions.
Older adults probably think of incidents such as Chernobyl. What many need to understand that nuclear disaster was due to faulty equipment and a lack of training of the employees. In current times there are greater safety measures as older buildings begin to age and employees are better trained. There are procedures, in United States cities where nuclear facilities are located, that each city has to follow to keep its citizens protected and informed.
Terms You Should Know
- Notification of an unusual event means the nuclear power plant has had a minor issue, but no action needs to be taken
- Alert means that there is a leak, but it is contained inside the nuclear power plant and there is nothing for you to do
- Site area emergency means you need to put your listening ears on because you should be able to hear warning sirens and need to check your local television or radio station
- General emergency is when there is a breach at the nuclear power plant that can allow radiation to leave the facility and plant location
Instructions For Children
As we all know, children are curious by nature and the bigger the secrecy and hype, the more they need to know about it, see it, and touch it. If you lived near a nuclear power plant, demystify what the facility is. Let them know this is not what they see in the cartoons and it is not a place where people will glow funny. Use terminology they will understand depending on their age. Let them know a nuclear power plant is off limits and is not only dangerous but could be considered trespassing. The legal ramifications are more applicable to older teens and young adults.
How To Tell If You Live Near A Nuclear Power Plant
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There are a few ways to tell if you live near a nuclear power plant. The first obvious way is when the house is shown to you, you can see the nuclear power plant nearby. Another way is if the realtor, or landlord, informs you that there is a nuclear facility in your area. You can also check on an interactive map to see if there is a nuclear power plant in your area.
Interactive Map
There is an interactive map you can use to see if where you want to move to is located near a nuclear power plant. The interactive map not only shows you how far you are from a nuclear power plant, but you also have the option to see where there have been earthquakes and where the fault lines are. If you will live near a nuclear power plant, you need to know how far away you are from it for evacuation planning.
It is suggested, if there is a radiation leak, that people who live within 10 miles of the nuclear power plant plan for evacuation. This can be increased to up to a 50-mile radius depending on weather and which way and how fast the wind is blowing. Once you’ve pinpointed how far you are, do basic planning so you are ready in the event of a radiation leak. You can check your area using the link below.
http://tmappsevents.esri.com/website/NuclearProximity/
5 Safety Tips You Need To Know If You Live Near A Nuclear Power Plant
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Once you’ve decided a home near a nuclear power plant is not a problem, you need to plan for a possible emergency. This does not differ from planning for natural disasters or a fire. Being prepared will keep you and your family safe. Below are steps to take to feel comfortable living in your new home.
- Find out what your local emergency broadcast stations are and where to go in the event of a radiation leak
- If your area offers them, sign up for emergency updates and alerts
- Make a family plan similar to the one you would make for a fire escape plan
- Keep a list of important terminology somewhere visible so everyone knows what the different alerts mean
- Update your safety kit
What To Put In Your Safety Kit
Your safety kit should already have the basics in it like medications, bandages, water, food, flashlights, batteries, matches, and extra phone chargers. You will want to add extra things when you live near a nuclear power plant.
- Heavy blankets: if you are told to stay indoors, go to the basement and use the blanket to protect yourself
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape: if you stay put, tape the plastic sheeting over doors and windows
- Potassium Iodate tablets: this medication is to help protect your thyroid from radiation and can be purchased if your local area does not offer them for free
Conclusion
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Considering to live near a nuclear power plant is not unheard of. Sometimes the perfect home has its drawbacks. It’s up to you to decide if you are comfortable living next to a nuclear facility. If you are, that’s great, you need to take some extra precautions. Set the tone with your kids. Be consistent about the rules of staying safe in your new home and that includes staying away from the nuclear power plant.
Contact your local human services department. They should have information for you regarding what the local emergency television and radio channels are. You might also get enough Potassium Iodate tablets for you and your family to take in the event of a radiation leak. Make sure you carry a second safety kit in your car. If there is a radiation leak and you are in your car, you may need the Potassium Iodate tablets or other items from your safety kit. Also remember, if you are in your car during this emergency, keep the windows closed, and the vents shut. This will help reduce the chances of radiation particles entering your vehicle.
Don’t Worry Too Much
Remain calm during a radiation link. You need to pay close attention to the emergency broadcast system. There might be different instructions depending on how close you live to the nuclear plant. After the emergency is over, you will still need to pay attention to the emergency broadcast system for information on where to go for shelter. If you think you’ve been contaminated, remove all your clothing and seal them in an airtight bag. Report to the nearest decontamination center or medical facility for treatment.
There is nothing to fear when living near a nuclear power facility. The risks do not differ from those you might face from a house fire or a natural disaster. None of these things are likely to happen but your survival and that of your family depends on how prepared you are before there is a disaster. Updated safety and training measures at nuclear facilities and knowing what to do will have you feeling at home in no time.
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