From September 14, 2023, to September 21, 2023, a Unified Safety Day will be held in Belarus

In the run-up to the day, the efforts of the organizers (Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, Belarusian Red Cross Society) will be aimed at fostering a culture of life safety in society, educating the public on rules of conduct in various emergency situations, and practicing evacuation plans in case of fire.

A person in a city can literally find themselves in a zone of potential danger every day. A market, a shopping mall, a restaurant – enclosed spaces, places where people gather. What should one do and how to escape?

Today, shopping malls are among the most visited places in any major city. To look for a new outfit, take a child to a playroom or a cinema, sit in a cafe, where else can one have a good and useful rest in their free time? And the possibility of a fire or other emergency situation occurring here is something visitors do not even consider.

Unfortunately, many people's attitude towards safety is quite skeptical. A firm conviction of invulnerability is difficult to overcome and practically impossible to change until tragedies occur. Does it really take the pain of an irreparable tragedy to look at safety issues with different eyes and realize how unpredictable our lives are, and how important it is to know how to act correctly in emergency situations? And, however bitter the phrase "it's better to learn from others' mistakes" may sound, we need to draw conclusions and think about what each of us is doing for our own safety and the safety of our child.

Forewarned is forearmed, as the well-known proverb says. Any visitor to a shopping mall, cinema, sports complex, and other establishments should know and understand how to quickly and correctly leave the premises where a dangerous situation has arisen, especially if children are with you.

When entering any crowded place, always remember your route in case you need to evacuate the building quickly. While walking, note the signs for other evacuation routes. For greater peace of mind, study the evacuation plan; it will only take a few minutes, and in case of fire, there simply won't be time for that. 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 main and emergency exits (they are marked with special "Exit" signs).

The smell of smoke or the activation of a fire alarm system is primarily a signal to act. Do not wait for events to unfold, do not try to verify; leave the building immediately! But do so without panic or fuss, as this always leads to rash actions and exacerbates the situation.

If the fire is small and there is a chance to extinguish it yourself, without the help of rescuers, you can provide assistance to the shopping center staff in fire suppression, but remember that it is more important not to hinder them, and in such situations, you should always call 101 or 112. After all, lost time contributes to the development of the fire, the spread of flames and smoke.

Under no circumstances should you go to the upper floors or use the elevator. At any moment, there may be a power outage, and you will find yourself trapped, from which it will be truly difficult to escape. Move towards the exit quickly, but without fuss, otherwise a stampede will begin. Follow the flashing signs – they will indicate the evacuation route. In conditions of poor visibility, hold onto walls or handrails. It is very important during a fire to protect your respiratory organs, as toxic combustion products and carbon dioxide often pose a greater danger than the fire itself. Cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve or any damp cloth (you can wet a scarf or handkerchief with water), crouch down, as the concentration of smoke is lower near the floor. Under no circumstances should you try to retrieve items left in lockers; in such situations, you will lose time, and this could cost you your life.

If you find yourself in a crowd, do not push, bend your arms at the elbows and press them to your sides, clench your fists; this will help prevent chest compression. Try not to stumble and fall to the floor, as getting back on your feet in such a situation will be very difficult. If you are with a child, hold their hand tightly.

And in conclusion, however banal it may sound, try not to panic in any situation and remain calm, soberly assessing your strengths, helping those around you, and not hindering rescuers in their work.

If you hear the fire alarm:

do not panic;

leave the premises following the evacuation signs;

call 112;

choose evacuation exits that are on the opposite side from the smoke, staying low to the floor and covering your respiratory organs.

If a fire starts at your workplace:

do not panic, call 112;

turn off electrical appliances;

notify colleagues about the fire;

use a fire extinguisher if possible;

leave the premises.

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