People have developed a very weird idea of what the world would be like after even a major nuclear exchange. I blame movies and TV, who have probably also convinced most Americans that a major automobile crash will cause their car to explode like a firebomb.

I don't recommend everyone build a major fallout shelter--that's a lot of expense for a very small chance of a disaster. It's like paying to put your house on stilts in case of a flood.

However, everyone should have a good idea of how to protect against temporary high levels of radioactivity, something that can be done with a lot less equipment than a full-up shelter. Somebody's going to hit somebody with a bomb someday, and while it might be a unique event instead of a wave of missiles, the knowledge would be worth having if you lived ten miles downwind.

You would be astounded at how much difference in survival there would be after a nuclear attack with simple preparations and know-how. The vast majority of Americans would almost entirely avoid the blast and fire of an attack, even a nearby one, and have to deal only with fallout issues.

Add to that the much higher likelihood of a "dirty bomb" attack using radioactive elements, or even an accident at a power plant, and the knowledge I'm talking about would be valuable.

Now, add to that the fact that the non-radiation-related preparations for a nuclear incident (water and food supplies, simple medical supplies, flashlights, etc.) are immensely useful for many more common disasters (storms, earthquakes, etc.)

Doesn't hurt to be prepared.