Safety Day. Attention to all!

In order to prevent fires and the loss of life, as well as to educate the population on actions in response to the signal "Attention everyone!", an event called "Safety Day. Attention everyone!" will be held in the republic, dedicated to the International Day of Civil Defense. The event will take place in two stages, and its participants will include students of grades 7-11 from general education institutions, residents of dormitories, as well as rural communities.

An emergency situation is always a real threat to the life and health of people. The absence of notification in such cases can lead not only to panic but also to increased material damage and, most tragically, human casualties. The natural disaster that occurred on the night of July 7 in Krasnodar Krai is a vivid confirmation of this. More than 170 dead and about 5000 injured – this is the tragic outcome of the flooding caused by heavy rains. Timely warning of local residents about the impending danger was hindered by the technical condition of the notification system, the primary purpose of which is to enable the population to take necessary protective measures promptly. Thus, a justified question arises: what does this system represent and how does it work in Belarus.

Today, a notification system has been established in the country and, importantly, is being improved at the republican, territorial, local, and facility levels. Its main task is to convey information about all types of dangers and orders for conducting protective measures in a timely manner, not only to the population but also to management bodies and the forces of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (state system for the prevention and liquidation of emergencies). Information is transmitted through voice messages on radio and television, as well as wired communication. Sirens are also activated, and signals from vehicles and street loudspeakers are utilized.

First of all, to attract people's attention, a warning signal "Attention everyone!" is issued. It can be recognized by the sound of electric sirens and other signaling devices lasting 3 minutes. If you hear such a signal at home, you should immediately turn on radios or televisions. During this time, an emergency message is transmitted, which informs about the occurred emergency situation and provides all necessary recommendations for subsequent actions.

If you are at work, turn off the equipment. Prepare the wired broadcasting nodes located in the notified area, and turn on radio and television stations. Inform others about the received signal and prepare to listen to the voice information. Further behavior should be determined directly by these instructions.

As for chemically hazardous facilities, they have their own local notification systems, the technical means of which must be in a state of constant readiness to transmit signals and information. In addition, they ensure automated activation of notification means by signals from the territorial centralized notification system and from the duty dispatcher of the potentially hazardous facility. This system informs not only the manager and staff of the facility but also the population that falls within the zone of possible impact.

Thus, when the signal "Attention everyone!" is given at the moment of an accident related to the release of hazardous chemical substances, it is necessary to turn on the radio and television to receive accurate information and recommended actions. Close windows, turn off electrical appliances and gas. Temporary evacuation of people from those residential buildings and institutions that are in the zone of possible contamination is planned in advance based on preliminary forecasts.

In case of emergency response measures: when the possibility of evacuation from the emergency zone is absent, the population living or working in close proximity is generally not evacuated from the danger zone but sheltered in residential (production and service) buildings and structures. Sealing of premises is carried out: doors, windows, ventilation openings, and chimneys are tightly closed, and any gaps are sealed with paper or tape. Individual respiratory protection means – gas masks – are used. In their absence, cotton-gauze bandages or other household items that can cover the mouth and nose, moistened with a 2.5% aqueous solution of baking soda (for protection against chlorine) or a 2% aqueous solution of citric or acetic acid (for protection against ammonia) are allowed.

As mentioned above, voice messages are the main way of notifying the population. For example, in the event of a flood threat, you will hear approximately the following: "Attention! Due to heavy rains and a sharp rise in the water level in the river ... flooding of houses on the streets ... (listed). Residents living in the zone of possible flooding should move necessary items, clothing, footwear, and food to attics and upper floors. If there is a possibility of flooding the first floors, additional information will be provided. Be prepared to leave your homes. Before leaving, turn off electricity, gas, and water, and extinguish fires in stoves. Do not forget to take documents and money with you. Inform your neighbors about this. Assist children, the elderly, and the sick. Maintain calm and order. If the water catches you in the field or forest, go to higher ground. If this is not possible, climb a tree. Use any items that can keep a person afloat – logs, boards, fence debris, wooden doors, barrels, car tires. Follow our messages." Naturally, other emergencies correspond to different variants of voice messages.

No one wishes to witness such emergencies, but unfortunately, there is no one hundred percent guarantee that this will not happen to you, so it is important to know how to behave in extreme circumstances. And most importantly, remember that your main enemy is panic, which often leads only to negative consequences. Keep yourself together, assess the situation clearly, and strictly follow all recommendations – then you will find a way out of the difficult situation much faster!