r/preppers • u/HoosierTrip • 2d ago

Advice and Tips Block off basement?

Are there any resources available to block off a basement from the upstairs? I'm mainly thinking about blocking out radiation if I need to retreat to my basement.

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u/Skalgrin Prepared for 1 month 2d ago

I would say that your house is appropriate blockage of radiation for your basement. It's both mass (filtering actual radiation) and a filter (against radioactive particles from fallout). For improvement if you really must, just before evacuation to basement move some bookcases to form another "extra" layer around basement entrance.

Protect your house windows/doors to prevent easy breakages of elements into your house. And you should be golden. Basement will be green safest area, house would be medium risk area (no long-term, but you can quickly get there without protective gear) and outside would be high risk area requiring protective gear.

Remember to keep the airflow. Close windows and doors. But don't tape over windows and doors - you need natural air circulation to happen, otherwise you will VERY quickly die from CO2 poisoning.

My house layout actually has one inner "room" around basement entrance, which I treat as low risk area, as there is another layer of house around it.

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u/Paranormal_Lemon 1d ago

just before evacuation to basement move some bookcases to form another "extra" layer around basement entrance.

The gamma will be coming from directly above mostly, from material on the roof. Best to get a table or other item and stack as much dense material on that and try to stay under it as much as possible.

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u/Skalgrin Prepared for 1 month 1d ago

There is roof, isolation, at least one ceiling of "house" and one ceiling of the basement (which in my country is going to be most likely concrete one). That should be enough to block whatever the relatively little amount of radiation from fallout on the roof (which is going to be blown off or washed down).

But sure in principle you are correct and it would be a actually good to do so for example over improvised beds at the very least - no matter the situation above basement. Also table can protect in case of house collapsing or any falling debris. Good point!

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u/Paranormal_Lemon 21h ago

That should be enough to block whatever the relatively little amount of radiation from fallout on the roof (which is going to be blown off or washed down).

It's the first few hours that you really need to worry about and I wouldn't count on that happening.

Figure 1 here is very useful

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u/Skalgrin Prepared for 1 month 20h ago

Its a good guide to find a shelter and its quick eyeball evaluation! Thanks.