Conflict Zone Civilian Safety
Protecting yourself and your family during shelling, air strikes and fighting.
Prepare now
- ☐ Know where the nearest shelter is from home, work and school, and a second option
- ☐ Choose the safest place inside your home (see below) and keep water, light and a first aid kit there
- ☐ Keep a go-bag and documents ready by the door (see Evacuation pack)
- ☐ Keep phones and power banks charged; save numbers on paper
- ☐ Agree with your family what to do when the alert sounds
When the alert sounds
- Go to shelter immediately. Do not wait to see or film what happens.
- Take your go-bag, phone and any medicines you need.
- Stay in the shelter until the official all-clear.
If there is no shelter: the safest place indoors
- Basement or the lowest floor. Avoid the top floors.
- Use the 'two-wall rule': at least two walls between you and the outside, such as a corridor, bathroom or stairwell.
- Stay away from windows, glass and outer walls. Close curtains or blinds to reduce flying glass.
- Sit or lie low against an inner wall. Protect your head and neck.
If you are caught outside
- Lie flat on the ground, face down.
- Cover your head and neck with your hands; keep your mouth slightly open to protect your ears and lungs from blast pressure.
- Use any cover: a ditch, a hole, behind a solid wall or a curb.
- Move to a safe building when there is a pause.
After an explosion
Warning: Further strikes may follow. Do not gather at the site. Move away from damaged buildings, fallen power lines and the smell of gas.
- Help the injured only if it is safe: stop heavy bleeding first (see First Aid pack).
- Hearing loss, ringing ears and confusion are common after blasts and usually improve.
- Do not move people with possible spine injury unless they are in danger.
Unexploded bombs, shells and mines
Important: DON'T TOUCH. MOVE BACK the way you came. MARK the place if you can do it safely (without touching anything). REPORT it to authorities.
- Never pick up, kick or move unknown objects, including toys, cans, bags or pieces of weapons.
- Watch for warning signs (red triangles, skulls, tape), disturbed ground and wires.
- Stay on paths that are used by many people. Avoid fields, forests, abandoned buildings and front-line areas.
- Teach children: if you see something strange: stop, do not touch, walk back, tell an adult.
Fire and smoke
Stay low under the smoke. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth. Feel doors with the back of your hand before opening. If hot, use another exit.
Staying safe day to day
- Follow official instructions, curfews and alerts from trusted sources.
- Do not photograph or film military positions, vehicles or damage sites. It can put you and others in danger.
- Avoid crowds near potential targets. Limit travel and tell someone your route.
- Fear and stress are normal reactions. See the Psychological First Aid pack.
Free printable guides and the HAVEN offline survival app: havensurvival.com