I few weeks back I was working with a local civic group to help prepare an emergency response plan. I was advised to look at Ready.gov the US Dept of Homeland Security’s citizen awareness site. They had some pretty interesting tips on there, including this helpful diagram and instructions on avoiding trouble in case of a nuclear strike:

Consider if you can get out of the area

I’m assuming that this advice holds true even if terrorists aren’t targeting the corner of broadway and main.

Followed by this helpful blurb about radiation:

If there is a significant radiation threat, health care authorities may or may not advise you to take potassium iodide. Potassium iodide is the same stuff added to your table salt to make it iodized. It may or may not protect your thyroid gland, which is particularly vulnerable, from radioactive iodine exposure.

(emphasis added)

I guess that want to avoid any liability issues by giving any firm statement there.