Crisis and emergency situations
Crisis and emergency situations
If something serious happens such as a fire, someone becomes acutely ill or is a victim of crime or violence, you should call 112. By calling that number, you can alert the fire department, ambulance and police.
You should always call if someone’s life is in danger. You should be able to tell the emergency operator where you are when you call. If you do not speak Swedish or English, the emergency service centre can connect an interpreter to the call.
If you need to get in touch with the police in a case that is not an emergency, you can call 114 14 or go to a police station.
Fire protection
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has as its vision that no one should be killed or be seriously injured by fire and therefore everyone in Sweden is urged to have working fire alarms in the home. The smoke detector detects smoke early and alerts you by beeping when it senses smoke and/or heat. Check that the fire retardant works where you live.
Also keep in mind that
- you must not manipulate, cover or take down fire alarms
- only certified electricians are allowed to repair or replace electrical outlets;
- Exterior doors or escape routes must not be blocked since it may make it difficult to quickly vacate the house in case of fire
- it is not permitted to bring flammable equipment or flammable liquids into Swedish the Migration Agency’s facilities (flammable equipment includes, for example, hotplates and heating elements)
- unnecessary emergency services are a burden for the emergency services. In a worst case scenario, people who seriously need help and who cannot receive it on time due to an unnecessary emergency are affected. It is illegal to press an alarm device unless there has been a fire.
For example, if a fire starts in your apartment and you cannot put out the fire yourself, you should save yourself and your family first and then alert others who may be affected by the fire, and alert emergency services by calling 112. As a last resort, you can try to put out the fire if you think it may be possible. If there is a fire in your apartment, go outside and then close the door to trap the fire and smoke in the apartment. A closed door prevents smoke from spreading to the stairwell. If the building needs to be evacuated, there cannot be any smoke in the stairwell.
On the website of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, you can find information on how to prepare for war or if some other crisis or serious accident should affect our society.
MSB – Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency
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