Buffalo, New York – The difference between a basement and an upstairs room during a nuclear emergency could reduce radiation exposure by up to 90% in the first critical hours.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and New York State emergency guidance, residents near nuclear facilities including Nine Mile Point and the James A. FitzPatrick plant near Oswego may be directed to shelter in place immediately if an incident occurs. In that moment, where you go inside matters more than what you have on hand.
Basements provide the strongest protection because dense materials like soil and concrete block radioactive fallout. In communities across western and central New York, including Buffalo, Syracuse and Oswego, homes with basements offer a significant advantage during the early phase when radiation levels are highest.
For residents without basements, officials recommend moving to the most interior room possible—away from windows and exterior walls. Small spaces like bathrooms, closets or central hallways can further reduce exposure, especially when surrounded by dense materials such as books, water containers or furniture.
Upper floors and window-facing rooms should be avoided, particularly near Lake Ontario where shifting winds could influence fallout patterns.
Potassium iodide, or KI tablets, may be recommended to protect the thyroid, but they do not shield the rest of the body. Shelter choice remains the most immediate and effective protection.
Emergency alerts could be issued within minutes. Identifying the safest place in your home now could make a critical difference in how long you remain protected.
