Preparedness at home

Are your home emergency supplies in order?

Food supplies, such as:

• fresh fruit, vegetables, root vegetables, canned food
• bread, crispbread, rice cakes, rusks
• cereal, muesli, granola, (oat)flakes, nuts,
• seeds
• dried fruit such as raisins, plums, dates
• jams, jellies, pureés
• canned fish, meat, and beans
• snack bars, biscuits, chocolate, crisps
• remember your pets too!

Water and other drinks, for example:

• drinking water 2 l/day/person and extra water for hygiene and cooking
• UHT milk and juice, spring water and mineral water
• water containers for storing water and additional containers (such as jerrycans, buckets with lids) suitable for fetching water

Medicine:

• over-the-counter medicines, for example, medication for pain, heartburn, and other ailments
• you should, within reason, pick up your prescription medicines in due time (that is, for example, when half of the previous supply has been used up)
•  iodine tablets (to be taken only at the request of the authority)

Other supplies, such as:

• soap, dishwashing liquid, toilet paper, diapers, sanitary towels, wet wipes, disinfectant, FFP2 masks, and other hygiene products
• a couple of rolls of strong, tightly sealed rubbish bags and a bin with a lid
• your car’s fuel tank at least half full and your electric car’s battery fully charged

Utility supplies:

• battery-powered radio and flashlight/headlamp
• back-up power supply, ideally solar-powered
• camping stove and matches packed in a waterproof container
• cash money
• first aid kit
• initial fire-fighting equipment: hand-held fire extinguisher and/or fire blanket
• multipurpose tool and other tools for small repairs
• camping mattress, travel pillows, and sleeping bags for each person in the household
• earplugs and sleeping masks
• duct tape
• entertainment, such as books, colouring books and crayons, board games, cards

The home emergency supply is not a separate emergency stockpile but is used on a regular basis in everyday life.

72tuntia.fi

 

Weather events such as heavy snow, floods and storms can cause power outages. Power outages can also be caused by technical problems or shortage of electricity. Repairing damage caused by nature is not always easy, and the power outage may last for a while.

If the lights and TV go out, the cause may be a fault in the appliance, a power outage or a problem with the home’s own electrical system.

• Try if the lights turn on in other rooms and whether other household appliances work.
• Check the fuse board to make sure that the fuses are intact.
• See if the neighbour has the lights on.

Vaasan Sähköverkko (vaasansahkoverkko.fi)

https://72tuntia.fi/en/power-outage/ 

Preparing for electricity shortages: https://112.fi/en/preparing-for-electricity-shortages

 

1. Download the app “112 Suomi” from an app store
2. Upon first use, enter your phone number
3. In case of emergency, call 112 via the app and the operator automatically receives your location
4. Follow the official emergency alerts and notices updating in the app

Did you know that the 112 Suomi app also provides the emergency and service numbers for the most common crisis and emergency situations?

Read more about the app. 

 

Test signal: the test signal is a steady sound lasting 7 seconds.

Public warning signal: the public warning signal is a rising and falling sound lasting one minute:

1 Go indoors
2 Close all doors and windows
3 Turn off the air conditioning
4 Monitor hazard information channels, avoid using your phone, and stay indoors

Danger over signal: The ‘danger over’ signal is a steady sound signal lasting one minute.

 

 

If a gas or radiation hazard situation arises, a public warning signal will be given.

In a gas hazard situation:

If you are already indoors and smell gas

• Press a wet cloth over your mouth and breathe through it
• Move to and stay on upper floors if possible
• Listen to the radio, stay calm, and wait for the danger to pass

If you are outside and cannot get inside:

• try to get away from under the gas cloud into a crosswind
• move as high as possible, for example up a hill
• use wet clothing, grass, turf, or moss in front of your mouth and breathe through it

In case of a radiation hazard:

1. Go indoors
2. Be prepared to take an iodine tablet
3. Protect all water and food you can (remember your pets!)
4. Read, listen, and look for further instructions and follow the media

Avoid using your phone so that the lines stay available. Only call the emergency number for urgent emergencies, not for enquiries or information.

More information: https://stuk.fi/en/preparedness-for-radiation-hazards

People living in rural and suburban areas usually do not have their own shelter but have the option of either sheltering in place (temporary shelters) or being evacuated.

For people living in urban areas, the nearest shelter is usually the shelter of the housing association or the shelter of the workplace. There are no public shelters in Ostrobothnia.

Read more: Civil defence shelters are mainly building-specific — self-preparedness at home is important

Radio:

The Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) channels, commercial radio channels with a long-term license

TV:

YLE1, YLE2, YLE Teema, YLE Fem, and commercial channels MTV3, Nelonen, Sub

Other:

Yle’s website, teletext, Yle’s newswatch app, 112 Suomi app and the emergency centre website 112.fi.