General Awareness

Preventive measures to avoid the risks of heavy rain, lightning and thunderstorms

• Be aware of the changes that could occur to the roads as a result of the changing weather conditions.
• Check regularly water and drainage channels and conduct the necessary maintenance.
• Fix objects that could be blown by severe wind such as boards, TV networks and others.
• Spread emergency hotline (999).
• Perform periodic maintenance for electrical and water systems.
• Make sure the emergency and first aid bags are ready.
• Provide the means for backup lighting (hand lamp or lantern) to be used when needed.
• In case of heavy continued rain, follow weather forecasts on local media and social networking websites.
• Do not leave home unless absolutely necessary and listen to weather bulletins and various media.
• Do not allow children to play outside the house during unusual weather conditions.
• If you are outside the house, try to find a safe place and avoid standing under tall trees and electricity poles.
• Do not try to walk or swim in the flowing water, ponds, valley streams or dams.
• Do not use the car to navigate in the flooded areas, as the torrential waters could make you lose control of the vehicle.
• During heavy rains, stay away from power lines. Cut lines are not necessarily safe.
• If you're in the car and strong winds are blowing, leave the car and head to the nearest safe place. The wind may overturn your car.
• If you are swimming, head to land and try as much as possible to stay away from open water.
• During a thunderstorm, unplug the power supply for home appliances to protect them from the passage of a thunderbolt through the electric current.
• During a thunderstorm, move immediately to the nearest building or to your car to guarantee a safe haven.
• During a thunderstorm, avoid standing under trees and electricity poles.
• During a thunderstorm, avoid working or standing in upland areas or on the roofs of buildings under construction.
• Lightning may cause fire. Prepare the appropriate firefighting equipment.
• If you are away from a safe place during a thunderstorm, the risk of being hit by a thunderbolt is higher.
• If you're in an open space during a thunderstorm, avoid using your mobile phone unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Stay away from windows and metal doors.
• If you hear a call for evacuation through the media or competent security authorities, conform immediately and make sure you and your family are safe.
• When driving your car during heavy rainfall, turn on your vehicle’s emergency flasher and lights. Reduce speed and do not overtake another vehicle. Leave enough distance between vehicles. Park your vehicle completely off the road if necessary.
• Drive with extreme caution on the roads for fear of landslides or limited visibility.

General Awareness

1. Mature Behavior

If preparedness was the first step towards, behaving sensibly, calmly, and with a sense of responsibility would ensure your safety and those surrounding you.

2. Let others perform their duties

Pave the way for responding entities and authorities to carry out their responsibilities to save lives and maintain public safety.

3. Following instructions

Following instructions and measures,  ensuring high safety standards and safety practices in place ensure avoiding disaster hazards.

4. Emergency exits

Do not pile up goods in corridors, staircases, and in front of emergency exits. Their emptiness needs to be periodically ensured.

5. In case of fire

If you have to escape through smoke, bend down and crawl using your hands and knees.

6. When thunder storm takes place

Act with awareness and seek a safety zone. Do not approach metals or sit beside a tall tree.

7. The prepared bag

When in emergency, your prepared bag would be your resort. It should contain all yours and your family members important documents, put in a safe place and easily reached.

8. Volunteering is a societal duty

Volunteering is not only a humanitarian issue, but also a societal and national duty. Take the intuitive of being a volunteer in order to prove your loyalty and patriotism, you will secure both yourself and those surrounding you.

9. When earthquakes occur

If you detect earthquake, instantly be away from windows, glasses and shelves or protect yourself underneath a durable table. Do not use a staircase. If you are outside, do not approach buildings, subways, bridges, trees, and electricity and telephone lines.

10. When tsunamis

The sudden reversion of sea level and coast line is an indication of a tsunami. If you are close to the shore, escape immediately towards tall buildings located in a low zone.

11. When floods occur

Do not be a gambler, flee to a high zone, and avoid open terrain, valleys, and areas of rains or water.

12. Impact of thunder

If you are threaten by a thunder, behave with awareness, find a safe zone, and avoid metals or being underneath a tall tree.