GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR CIVIL PROTECTION Protection Guidelines

Emergency Telephone Numbers European Emergency Call Number

Do you know how to protect yourself?

Protection guidelines

112

Fire Brigade

199

Hellenic Police

100

National Center for Emergency Care (EKAB)

166

Public Power Corporation (DEH)

10500

Poison Control Center

+30 210 7793 777

Hellenic Center for Infectious Diseases Control (KEEL)

+30 210 8899 000

General Secretariat for Civil Protection (GSCP)

+30 210 3359 002-3

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR CIVIL PROTECTION www.civilprotection.gr

EUROPEAN EMERGENCY CALL NUMBER

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR General Secretariat for Civil Protection www.civilprotection.gr

Do you know how to protect yourself?

Protection guidelines

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 1

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

INDEX Preface

5

Forest fires

6

Earthquakes

10

Tsunami

13

Landslides / Mudslides

14

Floods

16

Severe Weather Phenomena

20

Strong Winds

22

Storms

24

Snowfalls & Extreme Cold

26

Frost

28

Heat Wave

30

Volcanic Eruptions

32

Technological Hazards

34

Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Accidents

42

Useful Numbers

47

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 3

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

PREFACE The current guide deals with the protection from natural and technological hazards. Information contained herein is based on scientific knowledge, research results and experience gained from disasters.

This short publication on protection guidelines is easy to handle in order to get reliable information in case of emergency or even better before a disaster occurs.

There was an effort to include all potential hazards that could affect Greece. The disasters mentioned in this guide are not always frequent or dangerous. It is suggested that it is of your benefit to study this guide in detail. Studying this guide, will help you to plan, and decide on emergency response situation, and get an estimate on potential outcome due to those unexpected phenomena.

Discuss the general guidelines contained in this booklet and get yourself familiar with the instructions how to protect your life and property.

The guide entitled “Do you know how to protect yourself?� is one tool of information available by the General Secretariat for Civil Protection of Greece. The guidelines are also available at the web page www.civilprotection.gr

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 5

FoREst FIREs

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to PREVENt A FIRE • Don’t burn litter or dried grasses and small branches (twigs) during the summer.

• Don’t burn open-air barbecues in forests or places close to dried grasses or branches during the summer.

• Avoid open-air works that may cause fire. Do not torch weld, use wheel or other instruments that create sparks.

• Never throw lit cigarettes in open-air places.

• Don’t leave rubbish in the forest.

There is danger of ignition.

• Respect the prohibitive signs of access in periods of high danger.

•

•

• •

if your house lies inside or near a forest or a forestal area • Create a fire break around your house by clearing and removing dried grass, pine-needles, dried leaves, branches etc beyond 10meters of your house.

• Prune the trees to the height of 3meters, according to their age, and the condition of their branches.

• Remove all dried branches from the trees and the bushes.

• Thin the trees in a 5meters distance from your house so that their branches don’t lean on the walls, on the roof or the balconies.

• Space out around the building the woody vegetation so that the branches of one tree is at least 3 meters apart from another. For greater security and if the circumstances permit it, remove the woody and bushy vegetation around the building in a distance at least of 10meters.

• Don’t put plastic spouts or plastic

• • •

•

sewers of water to the walls of the building.

Protect the windows and the glass doors by placing shutters from not inflammable materials.

Cover the chimneys and the ventilation pipes with a specific, not inflammable, wire-cable so that the sparks will not penetrate the interior of the building.

Don’t store inflammable objects near the house.

Don’t put uncovered fuel- tanks near the house.

Keep the fire-wood in closed and protected places.

Buy the appropriate fire-extinguishers and take care of their maintenance.

Be equipped with a water pipe with length proportional to the area you want to protect.

A water tank, a non-electric power pump and a water pipe can protect you from fire.

IF You sEE FIRE

• Ring up IMMEDIATELY to the Fire Brigade call center (199) and give clear information about the location and the exact point where you are, as well as information about the location and the exact point of the fire.

• Describe the kind of vegetation that is burning.

• Specify the direction of fire.

• Don’t hang up before you give all necessary information.

Protection GUiDelineS - 7

Forest Fires

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If fire is approaching your house • Remain cool.

• Remove promptly all the inflammable materials from around the building to closed and sheltered places. Their ignition might contribute to spread the fire in the building.

• Close all the passages (chimneys, windows, doors etc) to prevent firebrands to penetrate the building.

• Shut off all the gas and liquid-fuels supplies inside and outside the building.

• Immediately roll up sunshades from the balconies and the windows.

• Open the gate of the garden to facilitate the fire fighting vehicle access.

• Put a ladder outside the building so that someone is able to climb immediately on the roof. The ladder should be placed at the opposite side of the fire direction.

• Connect the water pipes with the taps outside the building and spread them so that the perimeter of the building is covered.

• If visibility is reduced, switch on the interior and exterior lights of the building in order to be more visible through smokes.

If fire is next to your doorstep

• Close all the doors and windows and block up all the cracks with wet clothes.

• Remove the curtains from the windows.

• Move any furniture into the center of the residence away from windows and exterior doors.

• Close all the doors in between, to retard fire spreading in the building.

• Fill up the baths, wash-basins and buckets so that you have spare water.

• Gather all together in one place • Keep a torch and spare batteries at hand in case of electric power failure.

• If your house is made of wood, seek shelter in a neighbouring building.

• If advised to evacuate the area follow strictly the instructions and the routes suggested.

• Don’t give up your place unless As soon as the fire your escape is completely secured. extinguishes • The possibility of survival in a building constructed by not • Get out of the house and at once inflammable materials is great. On put out the remaining small spots. the contrary it is small inside a car • Control for at least 48 hours, in fixed that lies in smokes and flames. periods of time, the perimeter and the exterior spaces of the building for • Enter the house with your whole possible small spots and re-ignitions. family and pets.

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Earthquakes

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

BEFORE THE EARTHQUAKE • Fix shelves and bookcases to the walls.

• Screw fuel and water tanks as well as heaters to the walls.

• Put heavy objects to lower shelves.

• Remove heavy objects from above beds and sofas.

• Fix all lights.

• Specify well protected spaces in each room of the house - Under steady desks or tables.

- Away from glass surfaces and bookcases.

- Away from exterior walls.

• Specify safe spaces outside the house - Away from buildings and trees.

- Electric and telephone cables.

• Check the correct function of the electric network as well as all connections of the gas network.

• Inform all family members of how to turn off the switches/valves (water supply, electricity, gas).

• Inform all family members of the above mentioned measures.

• Get a portable radio with batteries, a torch and a first aid kit.

• Inform, especially the children of the family, of the emergency numbers (112, 100, 166, 199, etc).

• Agree on a specific place to meet after the earthquake.

DURING THE EARTHQUAKE If you are inside the house • Remain calm.

• Cover yourself under any steady furniture and protect your eyes using the interior side of your hand.

• If there isn’t any steady furniture around you, sit on the floor turning your face towards the interior wall, away from windows and furniture which could fall on you.

• If you are in bed, do not move and protect your head using a pillow.

• Do not try to move away from the house.

• Do not use the elevator.

• Do not go out in the balconies.

• If you are on a tall building move away from glasses and exterior walls.

• If you are in a recreation place or in a store or mall, remain calm and avoid panic. Stay away from the crowd which could probably be moving irregularly to exits.

If you are outside the house • Move away from neighbouring buildings as well as from electric or telephone cables.

• Cover your head using a briefcase or a purse that may be available.

• Stay in an open space until the earthquake shock stops.

If you are using a vehicle • Drive to an open space and stop the car immediately.

• Stay inside the car until shaking stops.

• Avoid bridges or pedestrian overpasses.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 11

EARthquAkEs

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AFtER thE EARthquAkE

tsunami. However, when you feel an earthquake, stay alert. A • Be prepared for the aftershocks. warning for an oncoming tsunami • Check for possible injuries to you or may follow. anyone around you.

• Do not move seriously injured - A relatively small-sized tsunami persons. could be transformed to an extremely dangerous tsunami in a • Follow the instructions of the distance of several kilometers. authorities and do not believe in ungrounded rumors.

• Use the telephone only in emergency to avoid an overload of the telephone network.

• Do not use the car, impeding the rescue parties.

During the earthquake • Avoid entering the house especially indoors if you see damages, smell gas or see any cables destroyed.

• Cover yourself quickly under the desk. if you are close the seaside • Fall on the knees and cover your head with your hands. (tsunami) • Stay away from the windows.

• The earthquake constitutes a natural • Stay where you are until you are warning for an oncoming tsunami. given more instructions by your After a strong earthquake, move teachers. away from the seashore or from areas of low altitude next to the sea. During the earthquake • Stay away from seaside areas until in an open space you are informed by the competent Service that risk is over. A tsunami • Listen carefully to the instructions of is not only a wave but a series of your teachers and stay away from waves with different time of arrival at other buildings, trees and cables. the seashore.

• Sit on the ground and cover your head with your hands.

• Do not approach the shore in order to watch a tsunami coming. When • Stay outdoors. you see the tsunami coming, it will • If you are in the way to school, do probably be too late to avoid it. not change your itinerary and go on in the same direction.

• In many cases, an oncoming tsunami is preceded by an • If you return home from school, do important increase or decrease of not change your itinerary and go on the water level. This phenomenon in the same direction. constitutes a warning of the nature and should be seriously taken into consideration.

- Not all earthquakes cause a

At sChooL

Protection GUiDelineS - 13

Landslides Mudslides REMEMBER THAT‌ Land slides intensify the consequences of floods, which are the result of heavy rainfalls or melting of big quantities of snow.

They occur especially in sides with steep sloping that have being laid bare by fires.

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

BEFORE A HEAVY RAINFALL • Be familiar with the land surrounding you. Try to find out if there were landslides or mud flows in the region by asking local authorities, people living there before you as well as the competent geological services or university sections.

The sides where landslides have occurred are likely to face the same phenomena in the future.

• Help local authorities in their efforts to specify the land usage and fix the appropriate building specifications in areas that run the risk by landslide. The buildings must be built away from steep slopes, streams, rivers and their estuary.

• Take notice of the characteristics of the hydrographic network in your area and especially the places where the run off of the water converges, increasing the flow on sides covered by ground. Observe the hills and sides around you searching for indications of land movements, such as landslides, mud flows, fragments’ flow or gradual bending of the trees.

• Communicate with local authorities to learn how to face an emergency and the evacuation plans in your area, if such plans have already been elaborated. Develop your own emergency plan for your family and your enterprise.

DURING A HEAVY RAIN FALL • Stay awake and always be on the alert. Many deaths have occurred by landslides when people were asleep.

• Listen to the radio for warnings relative to the phenomenon of heavy rainfall. Heavy rainfalls of short duration may be extremely dangerous especially after periods of prolonged rainfalls and humidity.

• Watch out for strange noises speculating land movements.

Such noises may come from trees snapped or breaking rocks. An initial noise from mud flow or rocks tumbling may be preceded by a huge landslide.

• If you are near a stream, be on the alert for any sudden increase or reduction in the flow of the water and an eventual change of its clarity. Such changes may indicate an activation of fragments flow or landslides from higher areas.

• If you are in areas where there is danger of landslides and mud flow, get informed of the possible ways of escape, in order to use them when needed. Remember that driving during a heavy rainfall is very dangerous.

• Be prepared to move quickly. Do not waste time. Give priority to save yourself and not your belongings.

• Be on the alert when driving.

Roadsides are particularly sensitive to landslides. Watch carefully when driving for possible landslides, collapse, mud, falling rocks and other signs of possible fall of fragments.

• If you cannot move away, move to a higher floor of the building.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 15

FLooDs

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General Secretariat for civil Protection

BEFoRE A FLooD if you stay in an area with flood problems during the past • Make sure that the wells and gullies outside your house are not blocked.

• Make sure that house drains function properly.

• Reduce your removals as much as possible.

• Avoid working or living in underground places if necessary.

DuRING thE APPEARANCE oF FLooD • Avoid underground places and move to a secure higher point.

• Don’t cross torrents on foot or by car.

• Abandon your car if it gets immobilized as it might be swept away or flooded.

• Stay away from electric wires.

• Avoid areas where there have been landslides.

ACtIoNs IN FLooDED AREAs Stay away from flooded areas or areas dangerous to flood in the next hours • The flood is likely to have changed the area characteristics and waters might have swept away parts of the streets, the pavements etc.

• Dangers are imminent from broken pavements, areas with dangerous slope, flows of mud etc.

Protection GUiDelineS - 17

Floods

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

• The water is likely to be polluted from rubbish, dead animals, raw sewage or other materials.

• Be careful not to prevent the rescue–parties.

• Don’t approach areas where landslides and rock falls have been recorded.

• Check if your house or place of work runs the risk of a possible fall of rocks.

If you need to walk or to drive in flooded areas

The restoration of damages at home or the place of employment

• Try to find solid ground.

• Avoid moving waters.

• If you see a flooded street, stop and If the area you stay had been evacuated, don’t return before the change direction.

• Avoid stagnant waters that could be authorities indicate that is safe. electric-current conductors if there are underground power cables or Before you begin leaks. restoration works at your • Follow the authorities’ instructions.

place

• Switch off the electric supply even if the power company has switched off the whole area.

• Turn off the water supply in case the network fails.

To overhaul a flooded building, pay attention to • Wear protective shoes so as not to get injured from objects or irregularities of the ground hidden by water.

• Examine the walls, doors, stairs and windows.

• Check the networks of electric power, water and drainage systems.

REMEMBER Even when flood waters recede, danger exists.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 19

sEVERE wEAthER PhENoMENA try to facilitate the work of the competent authorities with your actions and presence.

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General Secretariat for civil Protection

GENERAL INstRuCtIoNs

• Be informed by the media (radio, television, etc) on the progress of the phenomena. The General Secretariat of Civil Protection and the National Meteorological Service are the formal sources of information.

• In case of emergency call the Police (100), the Fire brigade (199) the Hellenic Center for Emergency Care (166) or the European Emergency Call Number (112).

• Note the above mentioned phone numbers in a conspicuous position inside the house and make sure that your children are informed of them.

• Help your children learn important family data such as their last name, the address and the phone number of the house, your cell phone number etc.

• Explain to all family members how to recognize noises being the sign of a disaster (i.e. sirens), when and how to switch off electric power, natural gas and water supply, how to use the fire-extinguisher, how to call for help, etc • Get emergency equipment, such as a torch, a portable radio functioning with batteries and a fire-extinguisher.

• Get a first aid kit.

• Take care of children and the elderly.

IF You ARE GoING to MoVE

• Be informed of the weather and the condition of the roads and be prepared, according to your destination, for any weather phenomena you may find (snow, ice, hail, rainfall, etc)

• Plan your movement in a way not to coincide with the peak of the weather phenomena. Travel during the day and prefer highways avoiding deserted and difficult to access roads. Furthermore, inform all your relatives of the itinerary you intend to follow.

• DO NOT ignore the instructions of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the weather forecasting and the instructions of the competent agencies, such as the Traffic Police, the Port Police, the Fire Brigade, etc.

• Check the situation of your car before attempting any movement.

• Provide your car with all necessary equipment in order to face any heavy weather phenomena (wheel chains, anti-freeze, first aid kit, raincoats, umbrellas, rubbers, a torch, etc).

• If you have to move on foot, put on suitable clothes and shoes. Be extremely careful in order to avoid being injured due to the slipperiness of the roads and pavements or due to objects falling by the wind or hail.

• Use public transport.

• Remain calm and be patient. Panic does not serve you. On the contrary, it makes the situation worse.

AFtER thE BAD wEAthER • Be informed by the media (radio, television, etc) for eventual formal warnings or advice.

• Check the house and the rest of your properties to draw up a list of eventual damages.

• Notify the competent authorities in case you need help after having drawn up a list with damages.

Protection GUiDelineS - 21

stRoNG wINDs

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General Secretariat for civil Protection

ACtIoN to tAkE BEFoRE AND DuRING GALE FoRCE wINDs • Secure all objects that may be swept along by the wind causing damages or injuries.

• Check all boards suspended.

• Secure doors and windows.

• Avoid activities in seashore.

• Avoid passing near big trees, under suspended boards and generally near areas where objects may fall on the ground (i.e., under balconies where different objects, such as flower pots, broken glasses etc may fall).

Protection GUiDelineS - 23

stoRMs Danger from storms comes from very strong local winds, heavy local rainfalls, thunders and possible hail.

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General Secretariat for civil Protection

ACtIoN to tAkE DuRING thE stoRM (to minimize the surface of your body and therefore the contact with ground) and drop away any metallic Secure all objects that may be object. drifted by the wind or the heavy rain • Do not lie down on the ground. and cause damage or injuries.

Check all suspended boards.

Secure doors and windows. in a vehicle Do not hold electric equipment or the telephone as thunder may • Stop the car by the roadside away pass through the wires. Electronic from trees that may fall on the car. equipment (TV, stereo, etc) are • Stay in the car and turn on the extremely dangerous in these cases emergency lights until the storm and should be unplugged. stops.

Avoid water pipes (kitchen, • Close the windows and do not bathroom) as metallic pipes are touch metallic objects in the car. good conductors.

• Avoid flooded roads.

if inside a building •

• • •

•

if outside • Try to find refuge in a building or in a car.

• If this not possible, sit on the ground. If you are in the woods, protect yourself under the branches of low trees – never stand under a tall tree in an open space. If you are in low land, be careful as a flood may occur.

• Avoid tall constructions, tall trees, fences, telephone cables and electric lines.

• Avoid being close to metallic objects, such as cars, bicycles, camping equipment, etc.

• Stay away from rivers, lakes or other water sources.

• If you are in the sea, get out quickly.

• If you are isolated on a plane area and feel your hair turned up (a fact that may indicate a possible thunder), assume duck position, burry face between legs

evaluation of the distance that separates you from the storm • Calculate the time between the lightning and the thunder in seconds.

• Divide the time calculated by 3 in order to calculate the distance of the storm in kilometers.

• Take all necessary measures, before the storm reaches you. This distance is indicative as the storm may appear very quickly above the area where you are.

ACtIoN to tAkE DuRING hAIL • Protect yourself immediately! Do not leave the safe place unless you are certain that the storm has stopped.

Protection GUiDelineS - 25

Snowfalls & Extreme Cold

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

Actions to take before the snowfall or the snowstorm If you live in an area facing problems by snowfalls • Get heating materials (referring especially to mountain settlements) and provisions for several days.

• If you live in a rough area, get the necessary equipment to shovel the snow.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS • Keep your house warm and stay indoors, if this is possible.

• Do not let children go out unattended during bad weather conditions.

• Put on suitable clothes and shoes.

• Check the watering network of your house as well as the solar heater (pipes and window glass).

Actions to take during the Snowfall or the Snowstorm If outside • Go to a safe place.

• Do not expose yourself to the snowstorm. If you have to go outside, put suitable clothes. Prefer many light and warm clothes instead of a heavy one. Prefer waterproof overcoat. Put on warm and waterproof boots.

• In areas where snowfalls are expected to occur, be extremely careful when moving.

• If it is necessary for you to drive, use wheel chains. Prefer to travel during the day. Use highways and inform your relatives of your itinerary. If you move in the city, use public transport.

In a vehicle • Change your itinerary if there is a strong snowfall and you are in a rough road.

• Avoid driving in rough mountain areas.

• Keep safety distance from the vehicles in front of you. Stay in the car if it has stopped. Put a colored cloth on the radio antenna so that the rescue teams can locate you.

Start the engine for 10 minutes per hour and remove snow from the exhaust.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 27

Frost Special attention is required in the areas where frost has been created when you drive a car. Be informed in advance, for the road network situation and make sure that you carry anti-slipping tire chains.

If you are on foot wear suitable shoes and be careful so as to avoid wounding because of slippery roads, pavements e.t.c.

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

Networks of water-supplies • Preventive measures for the protection of pipes of your building from potential frost: • Observe carefully where the central and the circumferential gate-valves of insulation (switches of your building) are situated. Learn where exactly your water-meter is on the pavement. Control and make sure that all the switches of the hydrocircuit switch on and off and work properly.

• Make sure the external pipes (pipes of solar geyser, surface system of pipes of automatic watering the taps of balconies) are insulated. In the opposite case, you must take care that they are insulated the soonest possible.

• If you are going to be absent for along time during winter insulate or better drain the network of the solar–water heating system.

In addition regulate the heating system of your building, in order to be operated automatically in low temperatures.

• In case you have a solar–water heating system take care during the frost (especially at night) to switch off the water supply towards the boiler and empty out the water from the system. If this is not possible, leave the hot water tap open to drip.

• Don’t waste water to remove the snow or the frost.

• Try to limit the daily activities that demand increased water consumption (such as washing machines etc).

• Learn whether the manufacturing company or a technician has put an anti-freezing liquid in your solar boiler (in the case of closed circuit).

If not, get the proper anti-freezing and put it.

• Make sure that there is no tap or toilet leakage otherwise repair them immediately.

• Be sure that the drains in the balconies and terraces are clean from leaves and rubbish and operate normally.

If in spite of all that, the central pipes freeze, follow the following instructions • Switch off immediately the central valve of water-supply of your building and check your hydrometer. If it continues to “run”, this means that there is leakage (broken pipe) in your network. Switch off immediately the central water supply valve and call a plumber. Ask for a receipt or a certificate for the leakage repair.

• If you decide to defrost the pipes, start from the part of pipe near the switch so that the temperature change is gradual. If there are no results call a plumber.

• Check if the electrical installations are wet or in danger and insulate them.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 29

Heat Wave Τhe following instructions of precaution are recommended by the General Secretariat of Civil Protection, in co-operation with the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, and the Hellenic Center for Emergency Care.

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS OF PROTECTION

• Αvoid sunbathing. Remain in shadowy and cool places avoiding crowded places.

• Avoid the heavy physical work, particularly in places with high temperature, and great humidity.

Avoid walking for a long period of time or running under the sun.

• Prefer the light, comfortable and light colored clothing from porous material in order to facilitate the airing of the body and the vaporization of sweat. Wear a hat or another head gear from natural material that permits the good airing of head.

• Prefer the small and light meals, with emphasis on fruit and vegetables and cut down the fatty foods.

• Drink a great amount of liquids (water and fruit-squashes).

If sweating is intense, it is recommended additional receiving of salt.

• Avoid alcoholic drinks.

• Have many lukewarm showers during the day. It will be good also to put wet covers on head and neck, as protective measures. Wear black or dark colored glasses which protect the eyes from the intense reflection of sun.

• Consult your doctor for the application of special instructions for those who suffer from chronic diseases (respiratory, heart-vascular etc).

• For those who take medicines have their doctor asked if they must continue them in their usual dosage as some of them increase the temperature of the body.

• Avoid long-lasting travels with the various means of transport, during the high heat.

Special instructions of protection for babies • Newly-born babies must be dressed in the most light clothing. It is preferable that their hands and feet are free and not covered by nappies.

• When it heat is on, they must often be offered, apart from milk (maternity or any other) other liquids such as camomile, water, etc.

• Babies and the elder children are advisable to eat more vegetables and fruit and less fatty food.

• It is advisable for children not to stay for a long time under the sun and always wear hat.

Special instructions of protection for the elderly • A very hot and damp environment in the great heat is dangerous for the elderly. In this case if cooling the apartment is difficult, it is preferable to move the elderly in cooler areas.

• If moving the elderly in a seaside district or in mountain is not easy, then staying in lower apartments of multi-storey houses is an easy solution.

• Generally during the day the room or the house must be hermetically closed, after being cooled and remained open for the whole night.

• Families with elderly persons shouldn’t leave them alone for summer vacations or many days of absence from the house. In the opposite case, they must secure that a person is taking care of them.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 31

VoLCANIC ERuPtIoNs

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BEFoRE AN ERuPtIoN You should be prepared for the phenomena that follow the volcanic eruptions such as: Mudslides Landslides Earthquakes Volcanic ash and acid rain Tsunamis • If you stay at a district near a volcano draw up a family plan of evacuation and choose an appropriate way of escape.

• In case the family members happen to be away from each other (parents at work and children at school) draw up a meeting plan in a secure place away from the destruction area.

•

DuRING thE ERuPtIoN follow exactly the evacuation instructions given by the authorities

if you are inside a building • Close all the doors and windows.

• Remove all the pets in a sheltered place.

• Remove all the machineries in a sheltered place.

if you are outside a building • Avoid moving towards the direction of the wind.

• Try to be covered in a sheltered place. If not possible, cover

your head to protect yourself from possible solidified volcanic materials.

Move in districts with relatively high altimeter to avoid lava flows or possible mudslides.

• Wear long clothes, protective security glasses and a disposable mask to protect yourself from the volcanic ash.

• Don’t start the engine of your car.

AFtER thE ERuPtIoN • Remain in a sheltered place, particularly if you suffer from chronic breathing problems.

• Continue to wear protective security glasses and a throwaway mask.

• Continue to wear long clothes.

• Clear the house roofs from the volcanic ash as it can be very heavy and cause collapses.

• Avoid driving while volcano ash is falling.

Protection GUiDelineS - 33

Technological Hazards

GENERAL • If you reside or are often found in an area with technological dangers (you can be informed on their types from the Services of the Prefectural Self-Administration) you should know that in cases of technological dangers you have two choices: shelter in a closed space or evacuation. For the potential choice of the two theoretical possibilities, you will be informed by the competent authorities.

• For your greatest protection: • Follow the instructions given by the authorities.

• Study and become familiar with the below General Instructions in order to put them into practice properly, in case no Specific Instructions are given.

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PREVENTIVE ACTIONS

To put into practice the specific instructions that will be given during an accident or the General Instructions proposed below, you should:

Before the accident • Make provisions of or have available in the same area or easy to bring together quickly the following: - S ufficient quantity of adhesive insulating tape.

- S cissors.

- P lates of plastic (cut in appropriate size) and plastic rubbish bags.

- T owels and cloths.

- B attery radio (with the batteries not inside the radio but beside the radio, otherwise they should often be checked).

- B attery torch (with the batteries not inside the torch but beside the torch, otherwise they should often be checked).

- N ew batteries.

- B ottled water (small quantity).

- P acked up food (small quantity).

- S oap.

- F irst aid kit.

- N ecessary medicine for the family members.

• Decide on the most suitable room that offers the greatest possible protection. Factors to be taken into account: room in the center of the house, with the minimum number of airtight doors and windows, communicating with the bathroom or the WC, windows not to be found in the side of the danger, without any openings to prevent the circulation of

air from the environment (fireplaces, air-conditioning systems, etc). If the house has more than one floors, it is advisable that you choose a room in the last floor.

• Drive with great care when driving near industrial plants or near vehicles transporting dangerous material.

• After reading all the instructions discuss them with the family members.

During the accident Stay in a closed area or recourse to a closed area. Your aim is to avoid entrance of dangerous chemicals in your house and protecting yourself against possible explosions (primary and secondary fragmnets) and exposure to thermal radiation.

If inside (instructions by order of priority) • Keep your temper.

• Keep the radio and/or the tv on, watch the announcements and follow the instructions.

• Close all the windows and the external doors of the house (do not lock them).

• Do not use the elevator.

• Close the outside or inner doors of the building (do not lock them).

• Turn off all the air conditioning systems either they belong to the central system or not.

• Turn off the ventilators.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 35

tEChNoLoGICAL hAzARDs

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General Secretariat for civil Protection

• Cover the cracks (four sides) in doors and windows using adhesive insulating tape. Damp towels or blankets can be used however it is more advisable to use adhesive insulating tape or a combination of towels and tape. Cover the lock with the tape as well as door handle.

• Secure using plastic plates (cut in advance in proper dimension) and adhesive insulating plate the entry of fireplace, all entries of chimney-pots and ventilation systems, the doors and the windows.

• Turn off all heating systems.

• Do not use bottles of liquid gas.

• Close the inner doors of your house.

• Go to the pre-decided room.

• Stay away from the windows.

• Do not use improperly the phone (stable or mobile).

• If, despite all actions taken, dangerous gas gets in the building, roll up a towel or a cloth and cover your mouth and nose and draw small breaths.

• Take into account the time at your disposal.

if in another building

if in a vehicle • Keep your temper.

• Close and keep closed the windows, turn off the air conditioning and the ventilators.

• Look for a building where you can take refuge and stop your car carefully. If this is not possible, stay in the car.

• Have the radio on, listen to the announcements and follow the instructions given by the authorities.

evacuation • Keep your temper.

• If asked by the authorities evacuate the region, follow the advised ways of escape.

• Have the radio on, listen to the announcements and follow the instructions given by the authorities.

• If you have enough time, close the doors, the windows and turn off the air conditioning systems of your house to slow down pollution.

if outside or near the place of accident

• Keep your temper • Keep your temper, try to protect • Try to contribute to the yourself and then offer your help implementation of the building plan. only if you know how you must act.

• Move away from the place of the accident as soon as possible.

• Do not walk or touch unnecessarily places having leakage of chemicals.

• Do not smoke.

• Try to cover your body as much as possible and “filter” the air you breathe from dangerous gas, dust or droplets. Roll up a towel or a cloth and cover your mouth and nose and draw small breaths.

Protection GUiDelineS - 37

Technological Hazards

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

If you are

• Downwind the place of the accident (place B, below) move away vertically to the direction of the wind • Upwind the place of accident (place A, below) move away against the direction of the wind and the water flow.

Α

Β

In general, it is advisable to move to higher areas of the region since many toxic and noxious chemicals are heavier than the air.

Although the safety distance from the place of the accident depends on many factors (quantity and type of the chemical, day or night, weather • Be prepared to give as many conditions, etc) the advised distance accurate details as possible (place, your distance from the place of - 8 00meters (leakage) accident, your name, a phone - 1 .600meters (fire, explosion) number, etc) and describe the may be considered safe for the event. You should notice: initial development of the accident.

In special cases (great quantity, - i f there are victims, estimate the extremely dangerous chemical, number of persons in the area bad weather conditions) the safety (number of dead, injured) the distance may be much greater. symptoms they present (headache dizziness, irritation of the eyes, If present in or notice an accident etc). and realize the absence of authorities - t he color of the smoke or liquid. move to a security distance and then - a ny strange odors or sounds. call: - t he cloud characteristics (direction, European Emergency Call going down or up) or the liquid Number: 112 characteristics.

Fire Brigade: 199 - i f there is any information/ labels Hellenic Police: 100 on the packing (barrels, containers National Center of Emergency and palettes) or on the tankCare: 166 wagon (company name etc).

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 39

Technological Hazards

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

In

particular, notice the existence of

• orange plates informing on the chemical transported and try to remember the two numbers (one two-figure/ three figure and one four figure) the so–called UN numbers

• colored danger plates in rhombus (red, yellow, blue, etc) some figure (explosion of bomb, black or white flame, skull and crossbones, etc) and number in the lower angle (1.1,3,4 etc)

Nevertheless if you take further steps you can reduce the possibility of pollution to the detriment of your health.

• If a dangerous substance comes in contact with your eyes it is important that you act immediately. Any delay may increase the possibility of serious harm. Unless informed otherwise, you should: - Rinse

out your hands quickly.

- Remove

the contact lenses.

- Rinse

out each eye without much pressure using warm water moving • buildings near the place of the from the nose to the exterior part accident (installations, buildings, of the eye for at least 15 minutes. schools, lakes, manholes, etc) Continue until you have no trouble at all.

• Do not hang up unless the • Ask for medical treatment. operator tells you to do so. Further • If you have sound suspicions information might be needed. that you have been exposed to a dangerous substance: If exposed in a chemical: - Take

off the cloths if they are polluted.

• Call for medical assistance: The Poison Control Center: +30 - Take

them off in a way not to 210 7793777, come in touch with your face. If The National Center of this is not possible tear them or Emergency Care: 166. snip off with scissors.

- Put the cloths in plastic bags or in It is not possible to give general a bin. instructions for every case of exposure - If possible wash yourself using to a dangerous chemical (poisoning, water. chemical burn).

- Wait

for medical assistance.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 41

ChEMICAL BIoLoGICAL RADIoLoGICAL & NuCLEAR ACCIDENts

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General Secretariat for civil Protection

PRotECtIVE ACtIoNs

The protective actions during a CBRN accident depend on its special characteristics (kind, quantity and clarity of the CBRN factor, dispersion, place of the accident, meteorological conditions etc).

if you find yourself in a place where a cBr factor is released

• Stay calm. Do not panic.

• If the accident takes place outdoors, move away, if you can, by walk Nevertheless actions in general follow without touching anything. the principles below: • Do not get off too far and do not • Remove the dangerous CBRN factor make use of public or private away from the body. transports (buses, metro, taxi, cars, • Move away from the dangerous bicycles etc). Such a behavior could place of the accident and stay in a result in a broader dispersion of the safe place dangerous factor and therefore in the • Follow the instructions given by public/private transports pollution as the competent authorities and well as their passengers pollution. collaborate with their staff.

This could make it difficult for you to get help.

Listed below you will find the General • If the accident takes place indoors Instructions which should be followed make sure that all ventilation and until Specific Instructions are given heating systems, especially the by the authorities. You can also take central ones are turned off. Get a look at the Technological Hazards out of the building and wait for the Protective Instructions. For the special competent authorities. case of an anthrax incident visit the • Seek shelter in the nearest corresponding page. undamaged building. In case of an outdoor explosion stay or find shelter indoors as this reduces the CBRN exposure.

• Once in a safe place, take off your clothes as soon as possible, put them in a plastic bag and seal it.

Take the clothes off in a way that you don’t expose more to the CBRN factors the sensitive parts of your body (especially the eyes, nose and mouth). If possible shower with plenty of water by yourself or, even better, in couples in order to clean the difficult parts of the body (behind the ears, armpits etc).

Protection GUiDelineS - 43

CHEMICAL BIOLOGICAL RADIOLOGICAL & NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

• If this is not possible take off as many clothes as possible (if weather permits) and wait for the authorities who will take care of your decontamination. Be prepared that: 1) you or someone else will take off your clothes by tearing apart or trimming them. You will have to stand naked in front of strange people or people that you are familiar with. This procedure is necessary for your best health protection.

2) If you wear or carry jewellery with you be prepared to give them to the decontamination staff.

• If you have children or babies they will be allowed to be with you during the contamination procedure.

• Cooperate with the competent authorities as this will result in your best health. The most important advice is to follow the instructions given and not disagree.

• Do not be surprised to see that the decontamination staff wears protective forms. Their aim is to provide you with better protection and it will be done by insuring that they remain healthy and are able to offer it to you.

• Do not forget to report to the authorities anything that you have observed.

If you expose yourself in a CB factor without having knowledge of it: • It is possible that you have symptoms as if you had a flu or caught a cold such as fever, cough, stomach or muscle pains etc (biological factor) or as if you exposed yourself to a toxic chemical substance (e.g. mustard gases).

• Follow carefully the competent authorities briefing –if there was any- and see if you meet the requirements mentioned in the bulletins. Otherwise inform the competent authorities.

• Call your personal doctor or the medical services and do not show up in any medical help centre (e.g. practice or hospital) without informing first.

PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 45

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

BE INFORMED IN TIME, PROTECT YOURSELF EFFECTIVELY DO NOT THROW AWAY THIS GUIDE - OTHERWISE RECYCLE! Read more:

www.civilprotection.gr

Useful Numbers European Emergency Call Number 112 Fire Brigade 199

Prefectural or Municipality Civil Protection Office ………….…………….…………….…

Emergency Medical Services ………….…………….…………….…

Hospital

Hellenic Police 100

………….…………….…………….…

Family Doctor

National Center for Emergency Care (EKAB) 166

………….…………….…………….…

Water company

Public Power Corporation (DEH) 10500

………….…………….…………….…

Gas company

Poison Control Center +30 210 7793 777

………….…………….…………….…

Plumber

Hellenic Center for Infectious Diseases Control (KEEL) +30 210 8899 000

………….…………….…………….…

Electrician

General Secretariat for Civil Protection (GSCP) +30 210 3359 002-3

………….…………….…………….…

Contact Person in case of emergency ………….…………….…………….…

GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR CIVIL PROTECTION www.civilprotection.gr Cut out this page and place it in full view PROTECTION GUIDELINES - 47

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR General Secretariat for Civil Protection 2, Evangelistrias st., GR-105 63 Athens, Tel. +30 210 3359002-3 www.civilprotection.gr, e-mail: infocivilprotection@gscp.gr

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General Secretariat for Civil Protection

Emergency Telephone Numbers European Emergency Call Number

Do you know how to protect yourself?

Protection guidelines

112

Fire Brigade

199

Hellenic Police

100

National Center for Emergency Care (EKAB)

166

Public Power Corporation (DEH)

10500

Poison Control Center

+30 210 7793 777

Hellenic Center for Infectious Diseases Control (KEEL)

+30 210 8899 000

General Secretariat for Civil Protection (GSCP)

+30 210 3359 002-3

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR GENERAL SECRETARIAT FOR CIVIL PROTECTION www.civilprotection.gr

EUROPEAN EMERGENCY CALL NUMBER