Threat from the air

A threat from the air is a danger that comes from above, through the air. It may also be called ‘airborne hazard’ or ‘aerial threat’. For example, a drone with explosives may create a threat from the air.

A drone is an unmanned aircraft. It is controlled remotely or flown partly or fully automatically. Drones are now used more in military conflicts. For example, they can attack from a distance or carry explosives. Drones with explosives can create a threat from the air.

During a drone threat, the authorities advise people to go indoors because moving outdoors may not be safe. Explosives can cause blasts and flying fragments. The dangerous area may extend several hundred metres outdoors. For this reason, shelter inside a building. This helps keep you safe.

Read more:

• How to prepare for a drone threat - Pelastustoimi.fiOpens in a new window.
• Questions and answers about drone incidents in Finnish and Swedish - Finnish Defence ForceOpens in a new window.

An airborne threat is usually sudden and hard to prepare for. The most important thing is to know how the authorities warn you.

In Finland, there are two main ways the authorities give quick warnings about threats from the air: emergency warnings and
the public warning signal.

Authorities publish emergency warnings in the 112 Suomi app, on the radio, on teletext page 112 and, if needed, on television. They also use other channels such as the Finnish Broadcasting Company’s Yle app, the 112.fi, pelastustoimi.fi and yle.fi websites, and the Emergency Response Centre Agency’s Facebook page.

Authorities may issue an emergency warning if there is a threat to life, health or significant property. An emergency warning about a drone threat may cover a wide area because drones can move quickly and are hard to track. There may be several drones operating over a large area.

Authorities may also use the public warning signal. You hear this through outdoor sirens. If you hear a rising and falling siren for one minute, go indoors and take shelter straight away.

Read more: Emergency warnings, the public warning signal and early warnings

Even if there is no official warning about drones, be cautious and assess the situation.

If you see or hear a drone:

• Do not approach the drone or try to find where it came from. Keep a safe distance, at least 150 metres away.
• Go indoors, especially if the drone looks unstable or flies low.
• Avoid open areas near the drone. If you are in wooded or open terrain, stay below ground level if you can.
• Once you are in a safe place, follow updates from the authorities.

Call the emergency number 112 if you

• see a drone in a no-fly zone
• see a drone near a critical site, such as a power plant, airport, port, water treatment plant, or a major telecommunications or official building
• find a crashed drone on the ground.

Please do not call 112 for general questions or requests for information.

If there is a threat from the air in your area, authorities may issue an emergency warning or use the public warning signal. Follow the emergency warnings and instructions from the authorities.

How to stay safe during a threat from the air:

• If you are indoors, stay indoors and keep away from windows and doors. Stay in the middle of the building, in a room with solid walls.
• If you are in a car or other vehicle, leave it and go indoors. Park your vehicle so it does not block emergency vehicles. If you are on public transport, follow the driver’s instructions.
• If you cannot get indoors, find the safest place nearby. Stay behind walls or other barriers. If you are in wooded or open terrain and see a drone, move to lower ground if you can, for example into a ditch or hollow.

See this guide for instructions on how to seek shelter indoors

Drone guidance in Finnish and Finland-Swedish Sign Languages is available on the Ministry of the Interior’s YouTube channelOpens in a new window.

Going outside in the area specified in the emergency warning may be dangerous. It is important that you avoid going outside and stay indoors. Wait until the authorities have issued the all-clear. That means it is safe to go outside. To minimise disruption to society, emergency warnings remain in force only as long as necessary.