With the aim of fostering a culture of life safety in society and educating the public on behaviour rules in various emergency situations, a Unified Safety Day will be held in Belarus on September 21.
With the aim of fostering a culture of life safety in society and educating the public on behaviour rules in various emergency situations, a Unified Safety Day will be held in Belarus on September 21. Lepel District will be no exception. On this day, a large-scale event involving interested services and organisations of the district will take place on Freedom Square in the town of Lepel at 12:00. A concert programme, competitions and quizzes on life safety fundamentals, interactive activity zones, photo zones, familiarisation with special equipment, and much more await you.
We invite everyone who cares about their own safety to take part in the event!
Furthermore, as part of the Unified Safety Day, rescuers from the region will assist in conducting practical evacuation drills at many public venues – from educational institutions to large organisations and enterprises. These drills will help everyone recall the necessary actions in case of an emergency.
Thematic preventive meetings will be held in work collectives with representatives of interested services. Employees will be informed about safety in everyday life, on the roads, and in other spheres. All activities will be aimed at preventing emergencies and offences, as well as teaching algorithms of action in case of fires, accidents, and providing first aid.
Let's Recall Safety Rules!
In a city, a person can literally find themselves in a zone of potential danger every day. A market, a shopping centre, a restaurant, a hotel, a nightclub – these are enclosed spaces, places where people gather. What should be done and how to escape?
The fire at the nightclub "Khromaya Loshad" (Lame Horse) in the city of Perm (Russia) in December 2009 is remembered with horror. The source of the fire was a fireworks display organised right in the club hall. The pyrotechnics ignited plastic and foam decorative elements, filling the windowless room with toxic smoke. Poisoning from this smoke caused the majority of the deaths among the establishment's visitors. The fire claimed the lives of 156 people.
Today, shopping centres are probably the most visited places in any large city. To look for a new outfit,
take a child to a playroom or cinema, sit in a cafe, where else can one
have a good and useful rest in their free time? And that a fire or other emergency situation might occur here, visitors do not even
think about it.
The events that occurred in 2018
at the "Zimnyaya Vishnya" shopping and entertainment center in Kemerovo shocked
everyone at the time. It was impossible to listen or read the news without tears. Details, numbers,
eyewitness accounts, the aching pain from the tragedy that occurred. And everyone had one
single question – why did the tragedy happen? But whatever the reasons,
the fact is the fact – people died, and most terribly, children… The rapid development
of the fire, panic, and wrong actions also played their part.
He who is warned is armed,
as the well-known proverb says. Any visitor to a shopping center, cinema, sports complex, or similar
establishments must know and understand how to quickly and correctly leave the premises
where a dangerous situation has arisen, especially if children are with you.
What should you do when entering a shopping center?
When entering any premises with a large concentration of people, always remember your route in case
it becomes necessary to leave the building quickly. Do not be lazy and
study the evacuation plan; it will only take a few minutes, and in case of fire, there
will simply be no time for it. Any landmarks – bright signs, advertising banners,
shops – will help you quickly determine your current location and proceed to the exit. You should also pay attention to the location
of the main and emergency exits (they are marked with special "Exit" signs).
Signals to act
The smell of smoke or the activation of the fire alarm system is, first and foremost, a signal that action is needed. Do not wait for events to unfold, do not try to verify, but leave the building immediately! But without panic and fuss, as this always leads to rash actions and exacerbates the situation.
To extinguish or not to extinguish?
If the fire source is small and there is a chance to extinguish it independently, without the help of rescuers, you can provide feasible assistance to the shopping center staff in extinguishing the fire, but it is worth remembering that it is more important not to hinder them, and in such situations, you should always call tel. 101 or 112. After all, often, lost time leads to an increase in the fire source and the spread of flames.
What not to do in case of fire?
Under no circumstances should you ascend to the upper floors or use the lift. Power outages can occur at any moment, leaving you trapped in a situation that would be genuinely difficult to escape. Proceed towards the exit quickly but without panic to avoid a stampede. Follow the illuminated signs, which will indicate the evacuation route. In conditions of poor visibility, keep close to walls or handrails. It is crucial during a fire to protect your respiratory organs, as toxic combustion products and carbon monoxide often pose a greater danger than the flames themselves. Cover your mouth and nose with your clothing sleeve or any damp cloth (a scarf or handkerchief can be moistened with water), and crouch down, as the concentration of smoke is lower near the floor. Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to retrieve belongings left in storage lockers; in such situations, you will lose valuable time, which could cost you your life.
How to Behave in a Crowd?
If you find yourself in a crowd, do not push. Bend your arms at the elbows and press them to your sides, clenching your fists; this will help prevent your chest from being compressed. Try not to stumble and fall to the floor, as it will be extremely difficult to get back on your feet in such circumstances.
Drawing Conclusions
If you hear a fire alarm in a shopping centre or other establishment:
- Do not panic;
- Leave the premises following the evacuation signs;
- Call 112;
- Move away from the smoke, staying low to the floor and covering your respiratory organs.
If a fire breaks out at your workplace:
- Do not panic; call 112;
- Disconnect electrical appliances;
- Alert colleagues to the fire;
- Use a fire extinguisher if possible;
- Evacuate the premises.
