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Preparing for Emergencies

17 September 2024

Preparing ahead for emergency situations such as fires, earthquakes, missile attacks, or war, can potentially save lives. It is essential to prepare your home, acquire protective equipment, and become acquainted with safety guidelines to ensure your well-being, such as knowing evacuation routes during earthquakes, identifying safe locations in case of missile attacks, understanding appropriate actions to take during a fire, etc.

Preparing ahead for emergency situations such as fires, earthquakes, missile attacks, or war, can potentially save lives. While each emergency has its own specific recommendations, there are certain actions you can take immediately:

  1. Prepare a list of essential phone numbers for emergencies and keep it by the phone.
  2. Keep a spare set of your house keys with trustworthy neighbors.
  3. When you are at home, avoid leaving your keys in the lock. Always lock the door, remove the keys, and keep them in a designated spot near the entrance.

Preparing for missile or rocket attacks

In the event of hearing a siren or receiving missile or rocket attack notifications, promptly enter a designated safe room based on the scheduled self-defense timing specific to your residential area. Remain in the safe room for a duration of ten minutes or until receiving notification that it is safe to exit. If you have a mamad either at home or in your building, and it is safe to do so, promptly enter the mamad. If there is no mamad, make your way to the staircase of the building, ensuring it has at least two floors above and no windows. If leaving the house is not possible, seek shelter in the innermost room of your apartment and position yourself in a corner away from external walls.

Guidelines for emergencies for older adults and their families (Hebrew) 
Further reading on the Home Front Command website

Preparing for earthquakes

If you experience an earthquake or receive a notification regarding an earthquake, treat it as if it were a powerful earthquake. Move to a secure location (a residential safe room, also known as a mamad, if you have one; a staircase, preferably within the internal part of the building, specifically near the entrance). Act according to the security guidelines: Keep a room or a window open; do not use the elevator; protect your head with your arms.

If you are using a wheelchair, lock it and protect your head.

Further reading on the Home Front Command website

Preparing your home for emergencies

In certain emergency situations, the population may be required to remain in enclosed spaces for an extended period, evacuate from home, etc., or wait for a significant duration until emergency personnel arrive. To plan ahead, it is advisable to assemble emergency supplies that can sustain you for multiple days. Pack these supplies in a bag and store them in a predetermined, secure location, such as next to the exit door or even in your vehicle. The list of essential supplies should include water, dry food, a light source such as a battery-powered flashlight, and extra batteries for your cell phone. Furthermore, it is crucial to keep photocopies of important documents and a sufficient amount of cash. It is advisable to prepare photocopies of your I.D. documents and keep them with family members, outside the home, or digitally.

Further reading on the topic

It is advisable to assemble a bag containing your regular medications as well as supplies for common conditions like headaches, stomach aches, band-aids, iodine, and other necessary items.

Naturally, if you wear glasses, you should keep a spare pair in your first aid bag.

A panic button is a very important security measure because it is connected to an emergency hotline that operates around the clock, all year round, and supplies an immediate response in times of emergency and distress.

Presently, the panic button is available in two versions. The first and more familiar version is a physical button that you can press in times of distress. When activated, it alerts the hotline, prompting them to send an ambulance to your location. The second version is a smart button that is connected to the hotline.

Further reading on the panic button and how to obtain it

Preparing ahead for fires includes three factors:

  1. Safe conduct at home: refrain from storing flammable substances, use candlestick for candles at a safe distance from curtains or any flammable materials and practice secure usage of electrical appliances.
    Guidelines for secure usage of electrical appliances
  2. Use protective devices such as smoke detectors to detect fires early on, preventing them from spreading and causing harm to both individuals and property.
  3. Ensure that fire extinguishing options, such as fire extinguishers, are readily available in close proximity in case of a fire emergency.

Even if you are attempting to extinguish the fire, it is crucial to dial 102 (firefighters) for immediate assistance.

Smoke detectors

It is recommended to install a smoke detector in each room, especially in rooms with large electrical appliances such as air conditioners, televisions, or computers. This also applies to the kitchen, where the presence of a refrigerator and other electrical devices increases the risk of a short circuit. The smoke detector is installed on the ceiling and at the room entrance. You can install the detector independently or seek assistance from family members or friends.

Fire extinguishers

A quick response to a fire saves lives. A fire extinguisher contains 3 kilos of powder that smothers the flames and isolates the burning substance. A fire extinguisher can be an effective measure if you have one at home. Therefore, it is important to purchase it, check its expiration date, and replace it accordingly. The most important thing is to keep it in an accessible and reachable location.

Further reading on the Home Front Command website on the topic of protecting your home from fire

Safety guidelines to follow in the event of a fire

A butterfly lock is a type of lock that is installed on the interior side of a door, eliminating the need for a key. In the event of a need for a swift evacuation from your house, a butterfly lock eliminates the necessity of searching for a key.