US government’s guide on how to survive a nuclear attack as WW3 fears grow

A division of the US government has provided a chilling guide on what to do if a nuclear war is waged and America becomes the target of a hydrogen bomb.

There's a lot to unpack there, but I'll first touch on why I didn't mention an atomic bomb - which, of course, was used when the US nuked the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki back in 1945.

They caused mass destruction and killed an estimated 210,000 people but if World War III was to erupt, those numbers would be dwarfed.

One of the last recorded hydrogen bombs that was tested was the Soviet Tsar Bomba, which recorded a blast more than three times as powerful as the ones that hit Japan - and that was back in 1961.

However, experts believe a hydrogen bomb has the potential to be 1,000 times stronger than an atomic bomb.

Fears surrounding WW3 have been growing in recent times (Getty Stock Image)

With geopolitical tensions bubbling over, there is growing fear that World War III could break out, and if so, you'll need to know what to do.

Well, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, has provided a guide for Americans if nuclear war ever raged.

Before we detail the steps you can take to help better your chances of surviving a nuclear blast, we'll need to understand what happens to the atmosphere following a nuclear blast.

In the aftermath of a nuke, radioactive dirt and debris begin to rain down on everything within 20 miles of the blast zone - this is called 'fallout', and it 'generally begins to collect about 10 minutes after the explosion'.

This leads us to the first step...

Take cover

In that 10-minute timescale, if needed, you should use it to make it to a brick or concrete structure - where you should shelter in the middle.

FEMA stresses that Americans should not leave the building that they are in after that period and should stay inside for at least 24 hours.

Take cover in a bunker if you have one nearby, or alternatively inside a concrete structure/brick house (Getty Stock Image)

Stay away from walls and roofs

"Go to the basement or middle of the building. Stay away from the outer walls and roof because radioactive material will collect there," FEMA explains in a safety document provided for the eventuality of a nuclear detonation.

Stay clear of windows

The agency explains that residents should steer clear of windows during a nuclear blast.

Don't shelter in cars or outside

"Outdoor areas, vehicles and mobile homes do NOT provide adequate shelter. Look for basements or the center of large multi-story buildings," the emergency agency stresses.

Lie face down

If you are outside at the time of the explosion, you are urged to lie face down to protect your exposed skin from the heat and flying debris.

If you're outside at the time of a nuclear blast, lie face down to expose as little skin as possible (Getty Stock Image)

Stay up-to-date with news

"Tune into any communication channel or media available for official information on when it is safe to exit and where you should go. when it is safe to exit and where you should go," FEMA states.

Prevent any air from coming inside the building

The agency instructs doomsday survivors to act quickly and close windows and doors of the structure they are in, and if possible, turn off any units that bring in air from the outside.

Take off contaminated clothing and clean yourself

FEMA says: "If you were outside after the fallout arrived, remove your outer layer of clothing and put it away from people and pets. Brush off any fallout and, if possible, wash exposed skin and hair."

Be prepared

Finally, the last step is to be prepared. Two ways in which you can ready yourself for a nuclear blast would be to buy emergency supplies and have a plan in place - where you would go in the case of said emergency and do your research.