Be safe
Flood, storm, epidemic – these are unpredictable situations, but it is possible and worthwhile to prepare for them in advance. The Polish Red Cross runs the educational campaign "I am safe with PCK," which shows how to ensure safety for oneself and one's family in crisis situations.
About the program
Each of us wants to feel safe and comfortable. On a daily basis, we do not think about how we should behave during a flood or a storm and how to prepare to fight the elements. How can we ensure safety for ourselves and our families in crisis situations?
The Polish Red Cross is an organization established to respond to crisis situations and provide assistance to people affected by disasters and catastrophes. Unfortunately, the majority of society is dominated by the idea that nothing bad will happen to us. We want to change this and raise awareness that it is better to be prepared in case of unforeseen events.
Disaster response plan
Only 3 simple steps are enough to help us create our own plan for emergency situations.
Every home should have a handy emergency kit in the form of a backpack or bag, containing essential items that help us respond in crisis situations when there is no time to think about where the individual items that will help us survive while waiting for emergency services are located.
The kit should include, among other things: long-lasting food and water, a first-aid kit and medical supplies, as well as a copy of important documents. It is also worth including a flashlight, extra batteries, and cash in the emergency kit.
Prepare a handy emergency kit
Each crisis situation is different, but it is important to establish an action plan for the family. We need to know how to act in case of a disaster. Together, we determine where we can meet if we happen to be separated for any reason, and how and who to contact to let them know that we are safe.
My Own Disaster Plan
In preparing for a disaster, it is worth checking what types of disasters and crisis situations may occur in our surroundings. We should keep up to date with the situations in local media, listen to warnings such as alerts from the Government Security Center.
Brochure „Prepare Yourself”
Prepare for disaster
During the campaign Stay Safe with the Polish Red Cross, six threats that most frequently occur in Poland were presented: epidemics, floods and inundations, storms, gales, heatwaves, and winter-related issues. Below are tips and recommendations to help prepare for each of these threats, as well as information on how to behave during and after them.
Storm
BEFORE THE DISASTER
- Maintain an efficient roof drainage system and the terrain around the house that allows rainwater to flow away from the buildings.
- Pay attention to lonely, weakened, and homeless individuals.
OUTSIDE
- If you are driving, try to stop and wait it out, being especially careful of gusts of wind.
- Do not park vehicles near trees, scaffolding, steel structures, billboards, electrical lines, etc.
- Avoid being in open spaces, seek shelter in a building, and if that's not possible, try to take a safe position (crouch down, keeping your feet as close together as possible).
IN THE ROOM
- In the apartment and house, close all windows and check their locks (secure them properly if necessary).
- Unplug electrical devices from sockets.
- Remove or secure items from the balcony and terrace that could be blown away by the wind (planters, laundry dryers, feeders, furniture, etc.).
- There may be power outages during or after – prepare accordingly.
AFTER THE CATASTROPHE
- If possible, assist in removing the effects of the event for neighbors and family.
- Recover consumed resources from the Emergency Kit
Epidemic
BEFORE THE DISASTER
- Prepare your Emergency Kit and secure food and water for yourself and your loved ones in case of quarantine.
- Pay attention to lonely, weak, and homeless people.
OUTSIDE
- Follow the recommendations of the sanitary-epidemiological services, e.g., avoid large gatherings of people.
- Avoid contact with sick individuals.
- If you experience symptoms of illness or have been in contact with a sick person, report to the relevant sanitary services. Wear a mask to reduce the risk of infecting others.
IN THE ROOM
- Follow basic personal hygiene rules. Wash Your Hands Properly
- If you are sick or have had direct contact with sick individuals, adhere to quarantine practices.
- If you are able, help your loved ones and neighbors who are in isolation, for example: by making basic purchases.
AFTER THE DISASTER
- Analyze what you lacked during your stay at home or in quarantine to better prepare for such events in the future.
- Restore used resources from the Emergency Kit.
Flood
BEFORE THE CATASTROPHE
- If you can, send children and elderly people to a safe place, e.g., to friends or family.
- Move sleeping places and valuable items to the upper floors of the building.
- Check flood risk information for your place of residence.
OUTSIDE
- Do not walk or drive through swiftly flowing water. It poses a danger to vehicles when it is 30–40 cm deep, and for pedestrians, water is already dangerous at a depth of 15–20 cm.
- If you must cross a flooded area, use a stick to probe the ground in front of you. Choose places without flood currents to cross (do not walk through swift areas).
- If you have floating equipment (rafts, boats), keep it in good condition and use it only in life-threatening emergencies – water currents can sweep away a raft.
IN THE ROOM
- During or after a flood, there may be power outages – prepare for this accordingly.
- Throw away all food that came into contact with floodwater, and for food purposes, use only bottled water or water delivered by tank trucks; always boil the water before use.
- Maintain hygiene, wash your hands often with soap and clean water.
- Do not leave the house unless necessary.
AFTER THE DISASTER
- If possible, get involved in helping to remove the effects of the event for neighbors and family.
- Restore depleted supplies from the Emergency Kit
Heat
BEFORE THE DISASTER
- Pay attention to lonely, weak, and homeless individuals.
- When traveling by car, always carry a few bottles of water with you.
OUTDOORS
- Avoid excessive sun exposure, tanning, and use sunscreen.
- Protect children from overheating, sun exposure, and dehydration.
- If you must go outside, wear breathable clothing that covers as much skin as possible, a head covering, breathable footwear, and sunglasses.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity.
IN THE ROOM
- Keep cool in the rooms: during the day close and cover windows on the sunny side, open windows when the temperature is lower; close doors and windows in air-conditioned rooms.
- Do not leave the house unless absolutely necessary.
- Use cool (room temperature) showers and baths with caution; remember that a cold shower after being in the heat can cause thermal shock.
AFTER THE DISASTER
- If possible, assist in helping to remove the effects of the event for neighbors and family.
- Replenish used supplies from the Emergency Kit
Wichura
BEFORE THE CATASTROPHE
- Pay attention to lonely, weakened, and homeless individuals.
- Do not store items on balconies and terraces that could be blown away by the wind.
OUTSIDE
- If you are driving, try to stop and wait it out, be especially careful of wind gusts.
- Do not park vehicles near trees, scaffolding, steel structures, billboards, electrical lines, etc.
- Avoid being in open spaces, seek shelter in a building, and if that is not possible, try to assume a safe position (squat, bringing your feet as close together as possible).
IN THE ROOM
- In the apartment and house, close all windows and check their closures (secure them appropriately if necessary).
- Ensure the safety of animals that you keep outside, and close them in properly prepared rooms in the building.
- Do not leave the house unless absolutely necessary.
AFTER THE CATASTROPHE
- If possible, help in removing the effects of the event for neighbors and family.
- Restock used supplies from the Emergency Kit.
Winter
BEFORE THE DISASTER
- When traveling by car, remember to have a full tank of fuel, and additionally keep a sleeping bag or blanket, a small shovel, such as a trowel, and a thermos with a hot drink in the car.
- Regularly inspect heating devices, chimney ducts, and ventilation systems.
OUTSIDE
- To protect yourself from hypothermia and frostbite, wear warm clothing, a hat, gloves, insulated boots, and apply protective cream to your face – cheeks, chin, and nose are the areas most prone to frostbite.
- Be cautious when moving around snowy and icy terrain. Watch out for hanging icicles and snow drifts on roofs or balconies.
- Do not stay in the cold under the influence of alcohol or consume alcohol in freezing weather - this poses a risk of loss of consciousness, hypothermia, or even death.
IN THE ROOM
- During or after, there may be power outages – prepare accordingly.
- Use safe heating devices.
- Do not block the air vents.
AFTER THE DISASTER
- If possible, join in helping to remove the effects of the incident for neighbors and family.
- Restore used resources from the Emergency Kit.
Downloadable documents
Get ready for disaster
We present 6 threats that occur most frequently in Poland: epidemics, floods and inundations, storms, hurricanes, heatwaves, and winter hazards. Below are tips and recommendations to help prepare for each threat, as well as information on how to behave during and after a disaster.
Others for Education and Health
First aid
For years, we have been continuously training and preparing the public to effectively provide help in emergencies through first aid courses conducted by instructors of the Polish Red Cross.
Educational programs
PCK educational programs shape pro-social attitudes, promote a healthy lifestyle and develop rescue skills. Thanks to workshops and practical exercises, participants gain knowledge in the field of health, safety and environmental protection.
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