Anybody else thinking of a Geiger counter?

[Leafyhouse]

So a Geiger counter measures radioactivity levels, FYR.

I'm just worried that the Ukrainian conflict means a stray missile could drop on a nuclear power station. Or it could be deliberate - e.g. if Putin wanted to send a 'hands off' warning to Western countries without directly attacking NATO.

I just remember when Chernobyl happened - thing was, the Soviet Union never told anyone at first. Then stories started to emerge - a radiation alarm sounded at a nuclear plant in Sweden (or somewhere), so loads of employees filed out to the car park, then realised it was all coming from outside the plant.

We all had to sit at home with windows shut, while a radioactive cloud drifted across Europe. Milk was taken away and destroyed, and lots of topsoil and dust was taken away for analysis.

I just think for the sake of £50, it's worth having. The scary thing about radioactivity is you just have no sense of it. You can't feel it or smell it, and a Geiger counter just gives you that ability to sense it. AIBU?

Are you in the UK? It's not going to help you or forewarn you. The eyes of the world are on Ukraine. If it were to happen, we would know and quickly. Spend your £50 on your gas bill.

This. It's not the 80's anymore, it would be almost impossible to hide something like that now.

Sometimes it's better not to know.

There is a lovely programme on Radio 4 called Sideways - Nuclear Awakening, worth listening to!

It will be too late by the time it's warned you

Our world is destroying itself.
No Geiger counter is going to help stop that! What would you do if your G counter gave a high reading? Do you have a bunker?
As others have said, spend the money on your utility bill.

Yes, am in the UK. It's just about doing things like going out shopping, and knowing where to walk. Just thinking of those recent Novichok poisonings in Amesbury - people were afraid to open doors etc., but they still had to go out and get food.

It's that 'invisible enemy' problem. If there's something you can't sense, it becomes that much worse.

Thanks, will definitely listen to that!

Would you know how to read it? We have one but you have to know what you are doing with it.

It wouldn’t be covered up, Power Stations in the UK detected the Japanese tsunami power station fault. Things like that can’t be hidden anymore.

Nope, but I do keep some potassium iodide pills, just in case.

I just think for the sake of £50, it's worth having. The scary thing about radioactivity is you just have no sense of it. You can't feel it or smell it, and a Geiger counter just gives you that ability to sense it. AIBU?

And what would you do about it if you knew. It's it like it would just be on one side of the road so you could cross.

@Leafyhouse

What is your intention if your Geiger counter (which BTW aren't all seeing and can't detect all types of radiation) starts to show elevated readings?

TBH you're better off and would get earlier warning watching the news these days than wondering around with a counter in hand.

OK, will probably leave it then. If there was a lockdown, it's not like the police would say, 'Oh you're OK, you've got a Geiger counter'.

Thanks everyone.

But tactically? I wouldn't put it past Putin. But that's for another thread...

Honestly? Unless you really know how to use/ read one then no point

I have one I use at work and I know the difference between background radiation and high levels and have the sources to check and show this

If you want to see what the radiation levels are in Europe try here :

remap.jrc.ec.europa.eu/

Your post made me smile - thank you