We must strengthen people's skills and opportunities to take cover
Only one in three people would respond correctly and immediately seek shelter indoors upon hearing sirens. Many may unknowingly put themselves at risk: some would first look for information and react too slowly, others might leave the building to reach a distant public shelter, and some might do nothing at all. These findings come from a pilot study conducted by Turu-uuringute AS.
“When someone hears a siren on the street or receives an EE-ALARM notification to take cover, they must do so immediately – wherever they are,” said Margo Klaos, Director General of the Estonian Rescue Services Agency. “It’s crucial that people can assess their surroundings and quickly find a suitable place to shelter, because in an emergency, every second counts.”
In October, the Estonian Rescue Services Agency is running a campaign titled “You have 3 minutes to take cover – where will you go?” The aim is to make it clear that sheltering must happen quickly and on the spot. The three-minute timeframe helps illustrate the urgency and seriousness of the situation. In reality, danger may reach people even faster or slower – but reaction speed is key.
Taking cover reduces your and your loved ones’ vulnerability – every barrier between you and the threat can prevent serious injury or death.
The best shelter is often the place you’re already in. If you’re inside a building, stay there. In case of an explosion risk, move to a lower floor, into a windowless room with reinforced walls, or ideally into a basement. Always stay away from windows.
“The state’s role is to provide people with the knowledge and skills to act consciously in a crisis,” Klaos said. “In Estonia, civil protection has not been actively addressed for nearly 30 years, and this gap has had to be filled in just a few years. Developing the public warning system is important, but it’s not enough. Equally important is ensuring people know how to respond to alerts.”
Estonia is a safe and protected country, but confidence grows when people know how to act correctly if needed. We can’t control every situation, but we can control how we respond.
Surveys show that many people mistakenly believe they must always go to the nearest public shelter in an emergency. In reality, it’s dangerous to travel somewhere specifically to take cover. Public shelters are intended for use only in wartime and only by people already outdoors who cannot quickly find another safe place. These shelters may not be open during peacetime. If someone tries to reach a shelter during an emergency, they may put themselves in greater danger.
“We need to work on two fronts,” Klaos added. “First, improving people’s skills so they know where and how to take cover. Second, developing physical spaces – shelters and safe rooms close to where people live and work: in apartment buildings, office blocks, public buildings, and so on.”
The creation of such spaces will be supported by amendments to the Emergency Act coming into force next year, which will require shelters to be included in buildings designed for large gatherings.
Sheltering is essential in situations where there is an immediate threat to life and health – such as industrial accidents, explosion risks, military attacks, or other sudden dangers.