Seeking shelter
Taking cover is essential in situations where there is an immediate and direct threat to your life and health. This could be a major accident involving hazardous chemicals, an explosion, a military attack, or another unexpected event. The purpose of sheltering is to protect yourself from shockwaves, fire smoke, flying debris, shrapnel, and other direct dangers. The best place to shelter is the nearest room with solid walls, away from windows. In an emergency, speed is crucial – use whatever options are available at the time.
When should you take shelter?
You must take shelter immediately if you hear sirens, receive an EE-ALARM alert saying "take shelter immediately", or spot rockets or suspicious drones. Find shelter wherever you happen to be at that moment! Only look for further information about the situation once you are sure you are safe.
If a child is at nursery or school, or a loved one in a care home, they are in the care of the staff there and there is no need to bring them home. Educational or care institutions, hospitals, and other such organisations must ensure the safety of the people in their care.
Sheltering in various buildings
If there is a sheltering place or a shelter in the building, go there immediately.
Taking shelter in a glass building
If there is no sheltering place or a shelter in the building, find a room
- on the lowest possible floor
- behind as many solid walls as possible – there should be at least two walls between you and the ourdoors (e.g., a cellar, a corridor, a stairwell, a storeroom, etc.),
- as far away as possible from large glass surfaces, doors and windows.
If you are unable to find a room without glass surfaces or windows behind several walls, position yourself where you are protected by a solid barrier on at least one side, and where the glass surfaces are not directly in front of you but to the side, above or at an angle: the force of an explosion will shatter the glass and send shards flying across the room with great force. Lie down and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object (e.g., a jacket or a blanket).
Taking shelter in a wooden building
If there is a sheltering place or a shelter in the building, go there immediately. If this isn’t possible, find a place
- on the lowest possible floor
- behind as many solid walls as possible – there should be at least two walls between you and the outdoors (e.g., a stone stairwell),
- as far away as possible from large glass surfaces, doors and windows.
If you are unable to find a room without glass surfaces or windows behind several walls, position yourself where you are protected on at least one side by a solid barrier (e.g., a stone fire wall). Lie down and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object (e.g., a jacket or a blanket).
Taking shelter in a house with no basement
If there is a sheltering place or a shelter in the building, go there immediately. If this isn’t possible, find a room
- on the lowest possible floor
- behind as many solid walls as possible – there should be at least two walls between you and the outdoors (e.g., a corridor, a stairwell, a storage room),
- as far away as possible from large glass surfaces, doors and windows.
Position yourself where you are protected by a solid barrier on at least one side, and where the windows are not directly in front of you but to the side, above you or at an angle: the force of an explosion will shatter the glass and send shards flying across the room with great force. Lie down and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object (e.g., a jacket or a blanket).
Taking shelter outdoors
If you are outside, run to the nearest indoor space on the lowest floor possible, behind walls that are as thick as possible. If there is a public sheltering place in your immediate vicinity, move there quickly.
Taking shelter on a city street
Go to the nearest indoor area or a public shelter. If you are unable to enter anywhere,
- find a spot where you are surrounded by a solid wall or other barrier on at least one side – e.g., a concrete barrier, a garden wall or a ditch,
- lie down behind the obstacle and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object (e.g., a jacket). Cover your ears and open your mouth – this will protect you from the shockwave.
Taking shelter in the wild
Go to the nearest indoor area. If there are no indoor areas in the vicinity of ,
- find a spot where you are surrounded by a solid wall or some other natural barrier on at least one side – e.g., a garden wall, a ditch, an embankment,
- lie down behind the obstacle and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object (e.g., a jacket). Cover your ears and open your mouth – this will protect you from the shockwave.
Taking shelter on public transport
If the bus, train, tram, trolleybus or taxi does not stop:
- find a spot where windows and glass surfaces (e.g., a glass partition on a bus) are not directly in front of you, but to the side, above, or at an angle: if an explosion occurs, the glass shatters and the shards are hurled with great force in the direction of the shockwave.
- bend down as low as possible and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object.
When the bus, train, tram, trolleybus or taxi stops:
- don’t stay in the vehicle – get out straight away
- take cover in the nearest indoor space, or quickly find a place where you are surrounded by walls or some other barrier on at least one side. Position yourself as far away as possible from other vehicles, windows, and glass surfaces.
- bend down as low as possible and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object.
Taking shelter in a car
If you’re in a car, stop immediately. If possible, make sure you are not in the way of emergency vehicles when stopping, and don't obstruct any rescue operations.
If you can get out of the car:
- take cover in the nearest indoor space, or quickly find a place where you are surrounded by walls or some other barrier on at least one side. Position yourself as far away as possible from other vehicles, windows, and glass surfaces.
- bend down as low as possible and protect your head and neck with your arms or a soft object.
If you are unable to get out of the car:
- bend down as low as possible, below the line of the windows
- protect your head and neck with your hands or a soft object.
What happens after you've taken cover?
- Stay in safety until you receive confirmation that the danger has passed — for example, via an EE-ALARM message.
- Remember: shelters are designed for short-term use. They offer basic protection against the effects of explosions.
Conditions in shelters may be crowded, with limited space, and lack basic comforts such as heating, lighting, cooking facilities, or toilets. In a wartime situation you may need to stay in a regular shelter for up to 12 hours, or up to 24 hours in a reinforced bunker. - If the shelter becomes unsafe (e.g., after being hit), evacuate and seek safer cover, using emergency exits if necessary.
- Once the danger has passed and you leave the shelter, assess your surroundings carefully. Do not touch explosive devices (whether detonated or unexploded) or unknown objects. Report any findings immediately by calling 112. Offer help to others if needed and provide first aid.
- In the event of problems inside a shelter (such as a fire), call:
112 - ambulance, fire, police
1247 - essential crisis information
