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Preparing for incidents and crises

The content has been scaled based on the preliminary questions. You can edit the answers on the guide's start page.

Checklist for preparing for incidents and crises

On this page you can find a summary of the key instructions for preparing for incidents and crises. The instructions will be displayed based on the selections you made on the start page.

Basic knowledge and skills help you cope with many situations

Preparedness means preparing for various incidents, crises and emergency conditions in advance. By thinking things through beforehand, your everyday life will be disrupted as little as possible if something unusual happens.

You will be able to cope with most situations when you:

Stay calm.
Think about how the situation might affect you and your loved ones, and what instructions you already know that apply.
List the most important things to do in the situation and take action.
Follow official communications.
Follow the instructions.
Help others to the best of your ability.

Home emergency supplies lay the foundation for preparedness

Having supplies for at least three days provides an excellent basis for many situations. Remember that even a small stock of home emergency supplies can help meet your everyday needs if you are unable to get everything you need.

Home emergency supplies include

bottled water and clean lidded containers for storing water
ready-to-eat and easy-to-cook foods that you use in your regular everyday life
a radio that runs on batteries or otherwise without mains power
a flashlight or some other light that runs on batteries or otherwise without mains power
a charged backup power supply
essential medicines that last you a little longer
hygiene supplies that allow you to stay clean without water
a small amount of cash
duct tape for sealing windows and vents
iodine tablets if there is someone in your household who is aged 40 or younger, pregnant or breastfeeding
also enough food and water for your pets.

Pay attention to functional capacity in preparedness

Ways of preparing depend on a person’s ability to cope with different situations.

Use the questions below to consider how, for example, ageing, disability or illness might affect your home emergency supplies and preparedness:

How will the incidents specifically affect your everyday life?
What restrictions should be taken into account?
What can you do yourself and where do you need help from others in various situations?
Who could help you the quickest if something happened?
Should you improve your safety net?

Warning of emergencies and sheltering indoors

The authorities use the following means to warn the public of imminent danger

emergency warnings
the public warning signal
early warnings.

An emergency warning is transmitted on the radio, the 112 Suomi application, websites and, if necessary, television.

Follow these steps if you hear the public warning signal or an emergency warning advises you to take shelter indoors:

Go inside your home or the nearest indoor space.
Stop ventilation and seal any openings from which air can flow into the interior space.
Follow the authorities’ emergency warnings and act according to their instructions.
Seek shelter indoors until the authority reports that the situation is over.

You should seek shelter indoors, for example, if toxic smoke, chemicals or radioactive substances spread into the air.

Calling for help in an emergency

In urgent situations call the emergency number 112. Everyone has a duty to help if someone is in danger.

If you have an emergency or someone else's life, health or property is at risk:

Call or text the emergency number 112.
Answer the questions asked of you.
Follow the instructions given by the emergency response centre operator.

Remember to install the 112 Suomi applicationOpens in a new window. on your phone.

Storms and floods

A storm may emerge quickly. Taking precautions allows you to avoid accidents and storm damage.

During a flood, people and animals may become marooned and there is no safe way to exit the flooded area by walking or driving.

How to prepare for storms:

Follow the weather reports and warnings in your area.
Think about the risks that may arise in your environment during a storm and use this as the basis for preparing.
Get home emergency supplies for everyday needs, as well as supplies to protect your belongings.

During a storm:

Stay indoors.
Follow the communications of the rescue department in your area.
Avoid unnecessary calls to the emergency number. Call the emergency number 112 if the storm causes an immediate accident or danger to life.

How to prepare for floods:

Find out if you live in a flood risk area or if an urban flood can affect your residential area.
Follow the weather reports and warnings in your area.
Get home emergency supplies for everyday needs, along with supplies to block floodwater.

During a flood:

Protect your property from flood damage.
Move away from the area or go to the upper floors of your building.
Do not enter floodwater.
Follow the instructions given by the rescue department and the authorities in your area.

Preparedness instructions in print and in sign languages

A printable summary of the key instructions is available in several languages. The key content is also available in Finnish Sign Language and Finland-Swedish Sign Language.