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Public warning signal

The public warning signal is a one-minute-long ascending and descending tone or a warning announcement by the authorities. The length of the ascending tone is 7 seconds. The public warning signal means an immediate danger threatening the public.

The All Clear signal is a one-minute-long monotonous signal. It is an announcement of the threat or danger having passed.

Act in the following way after you've heard the public warning signal
  • Proceed indoors. Close doors, windows, ventilation holes, and air conditioning devices.
  • Turn on the radio and wait for instructions.
  • Avoid using the phone to prevent telephone lines from getting jammed.
  • Do not leave the area unless urged to do so by the authorities.

Gas hazard

Public warning signal in danger situations concerning gas
Do the following
  • If you are indoors and can smell gas:
    • stay inside, get to the top floors and listen for further information on the radio
    • place a wet cloth over your mouth and breathe through it
  • If you are outside when you smell gas but are not able to get indoors:
    • hurry into side wind from underneath the gas cloud
    • try to get as high as possible, for example to the top of a hill
Additional information on taking cover from gas
  • Switch off air conditioning devices and close doors and windows tightly.
  • You can also close or tape inside doors and stay in upwind areas.
  • If you smell gas you can breathe through a moist and spongy cloth.
  • The authorities will announce on radio or with vehicles with loudspeakers when the gas cloud has dispersed. Ventilate indoors well after the event.
  • Stay on the upper floors until the danger is over.
  • Do not go into the basement.

Radiation hazard

A public warning signal is given upon the threat of radiation.

Go inside.

  • Close doors, windows, ventilation holes, and air conditioning devices.
  • The centre and basement of the building are the best places to take shelter. Take iodine tablets only when advised to do so by the authorities (there should be two iodine tablets per person).

Avoid moving outside

Additional instructions
You will get additional information from your city's rescue authorities, from broadcast media, and from Yle's (the Finnish Broadcasting Company's) Teletext page 867. You can also find information from the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority's website www.stuk.fi and the website of the rescue authorities www.pelastustoimi.fi.