Accidents and emergency numbers

Anyone involved in or witnessing an accident is obliged to give first aid, prevent further accidents and call for help.

An emergency call is made by phoning the emergency number 112 as soon as possible so that assistance can be brought to the scene without delay. Help can be obtained by calling the emergency number 112 in all emergencies: for an ambulance, the fire brigade, police or emergency social services. The caller does not need to dial a regional code before the emergency number, and the call is always free-of-charge. You can also make an emergency call even if your mobile phone has run out of credit.

When making an emergency call, follow this procedure:

1. Explain what has happened.
2. Give the address and the municipality as accurately as possible.
3. Answer any questions asked.
4. Follow the instructions given.
5. Finish the call only when given permission to do so. Don't make other calls or otherwise use your phone immediately after the emergency call. The emergency response centre may call you if they need more information.

When on the accident scene, follow these rules:

• Prevent further accidents. If there's traffic, place a warning triangle or emergency flasher 100 to 150 metres from the scene of the accident.
• Keep calm. Don't put your own safety at risk. Turn your car engine off.
• First rescue those whose lives are in danger, then move the other injured to safety and give them first aid according to your abilities. The most important thing in first aid is to secure the patient’s breathing and blood circulation and to stop any major bleeding.
• Don't leave the injured alone. While waiting for rescuers, calm them and monitor their condition so that you can report on their state to the rescue personnel.

Emergency response centres are joint centres for emergency calls to the police, rescue services and emergency social and health services. In case of an emergency they provide the right kind of help. The emergency response centre officials have been trained to assess the kind of help required in different accident and emergency situations. You should not dial 112 in non-urgent matters. Please remember that making misguided or hoax calls to the emergency number is a punishable offence.

A public warning signal is a continuous rising and falling siren. It is given when the population is in immediate danger. On hearing the warning signal, you must go inside, close all doors and windows, switch off air conditioning units, turn on the radio, wait patiently for further instructions from the authorities, and avoid using the phone. A public warning alarm signal is also given in the event of gas escapes and nuclear fallout.