Immediate danger to life: call 999 or 112.
UK Ready is an independent information site. Current official instructions for your area take priority over this general guidance.
Sources checked 13 October 2026
If you are close to a release, get away from its immediate area and into fresh air. Avoid passing through the source. If you can identify the wind direction, moving upwind away from the source can reduce exposure. Do not approach to identify, photograph or rescue an object. Call 999 when safe and describe what you observed without guessing the chemical.
If a substance has affected your clothing or skin: Follow UKHSA's Remove Remove Remove guidance. Remove yourself from the source, carefully remove affected outer clothing, and remove the substance from your skin. Avoid pulling clothing over your head or taking off material stuck to the skin. Do not eat, drink or smoke.
Use dry absorbent material to soak up liquid or gently brush away a substance. If skin or eyes are irritated or painful, rinse continuously with plenty of water if available and follow emergency instructions. Do not add another chemical to 'neutralise' it. If a harmful acid or chemical is on skin or in eyes, call 999 and follow its medical instructions while rinsing as advised. Do not delay rinsing a painful exposure while searching online for the exact substance.
If you are not at the release but are alerted to a nearby chemical emergency, go into a safe building other than the source building. Close outside doors, windows and vents where possible and switch off fans and air conditioning as UKHSA advises. Leave safety-critical systems operating. Listen for local sheltering or evacuation instructions. Cars and tents are poor protection from contaminated air.
Important differences: Do not apply a fallout rule about going underground to every chemical incident. The right place depends on the substance and location. Do not enter a contaminated building to shelter from an outdoor release, or remain inside if the release is in your own building.
Helping others: Avoid becoming another casualty. Start cleaning yourself before assisting where appropriate, use protection if available and keep people warm and covered. Tell responders about anyone with breathing difficulty or who cannot move. Ordinary masks do not provide reliable protection against toxic gases or vapours.
Afterwards, keep away from the area until authorities permit return. Food, water and cleaning restrictions may continue. Never turn an unknown substance into a home experiment or suggest antidotes without clinical direction.