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Preparing for incidents and crises

To get the best help for your situation, first answer the questions on the guide's start page.

  1. Guide's start page
  2. How to prepare for incidents and crises
    1. Why is preparedness important?
    2. General instructions on preparedness, home emergency supplies and on what to do in different situations
    3. Epidemics and pandemics
    4. Information influence and hybrid influence activities
    5. Cyberattacks or cyber incidents
    6. Wildfires and major building fires
    7. Disruptions in payment systems
    8. Storms and floods
    9. Military conflicts and civil defence
    10. Power cut
    11. Radiation hazards
      1. What can cause a radiation hazard?
      2. How do I prepare for a situation involving a radiation hazard?
      3. What should I do in the event of a radiation hazard?
    12. Terrorism
    13. Disruptions in communications infrastructure
    14. Spreading of dangerous substances into the environment
    15. Water outage and water contamination
    16. Maintaining your functional capacity during a crisis
  3. Preparedness is about cooperation
  4. Preparedness instructions in print and in sign languages
  5. Checklist for preparing for incidents and crises

Radiation hazards

What can cause a radiation hazard?

Situations involving radiation hazards may include:

  • a serious accident at a nuclear power plant in Finland or in nearby areas
  • an accident in the transport of radioactive material.
  • the use of a nuclear weapon in Finland or nearby areas.

The release of radioactive material into the environment depends on what has happened and the weather in the area. Factors such as temperature, wind conditions and rain affect where the material spreads. The impact area can range from a few hundred metres to thousands of kilometres.

The authorities and other parties prepare for radiation threats by practising how to act in a hazardous situation.

Read more:

Updated: 2/9/2025

How do I prepare for a situation involving a radiation hazard?

Prepare for a radiation hazard as follows:

  • Learn the steps to seek shelter indoors and how to carry them out at home. Also learn them together with family members.
  • Learn how to switch off ventilation at home.
  • Make sure you have durable tape at home that you can use to seal off windows, doors and other areas with air flow.
  • Know which communication channels are used: the 112 application, television, radio and the websites of the authorities.
  • Buy iodine tablets for home as recommended – they can be obtained from a pharmacy without a prescription.

In the event of a radiation hazard, you will hear the public warning signal. In addition, the rescue department in your area will issue an emergency warning and instructions on what to do. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority also communicates in radiation hazard situations.

Read more: Emergency bulletins, alarm signals and pre-emptive warnings - Suomi.fiOpens in a new window.

Updated: 3/9/2025

What should I do in the event of a radiation hazard?

Information about a threatening accident in the vicinity may obtained before people need to seek shelter.

If there is a radiation hazard in the area, a general alarm signal and an emergency warning are used to inform people.

If this happens, do as follows:

  • Seek shelter indoors.
  • Follow the emergency warnings and the instructions given by the authorities.

Rescue departments and the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority will inform you when the radiation hazard has passed. Follow the instructions issued by the authorities, such as cleaning the premises and consuming food items.

See this guide for instructions on how to seek shelter indoors

Read more: Actions in a radiation hazard situation - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority Opens in a new window.

Updated: 3/9/2025

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Checklist for preparing for incidents and crises