Poland’s Safety Guide Handbook: A Practical Guide Every Household Should Read
Poland
In recent years, every household in Poland has received a Safety Guide Handbook prepared by the Polish government. While many copies may still be sitting on shelves or tucked away in drawers, the handbook remains a key resource for personal and family safety — one that authorities strongly encourage residents to read and keep accessible.
The handbook was created to help people understand how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crisis situations, ranging from natural disasters and infrastructure failures to large-scale emergencies. Its message is simple: preparation saves time, reduces panic, and can save lives.
What Is the Safety Guide Handbook?
The Safety Guide Handbook is an official publication developed by the Government Security Centre (RCB) in cooperation with emergency services and public authorities. It brings together essential safety knowledge in one place, using clear language and practical examples so it can be used by individuals, families, and communities.
The guide is meant for everyday citizens — not specialists — and focuses on what ordinary people should do before, during, and after a crisis.
What You’ll Find Inside the Handbook
The handbook covers a wide range of real-life scenarios and explains them step by step, including:
Preparation and Readiness
Readers are guided on how to prepare themselves and their families in advance, including:
- Creating a family emergency plan
- Preparing home supplies for at least three days
- Building an evacuation backpack with essential items
- Protecting physical and mental health in stressful situations
Special attention is given to children, seniors, people with disabilities, and pets, ensuring no one is overlooked during emergencies.
Emergency Alerts and Evacuation
The guide explains:
- How alarm signals work in Poland and what different sounds mean
- How official alerts are delivered via mobile phones, radio, and television
- What to do when evacuation is ordered, including how to help neighbours and vulnerable people
Clear instructions help prevent confusion during high-stress situations.
Shelter and Immediate Safety
Residents can learn:
- Where to find designated shelters
- How to create safer spaces at home if shelter access is limited
- How to behave during air raids, fires, floods, and blackouts
The handbook emphasizes staying informed and following official instructions rather than relying on rumours or panic.
First Aid and Health
A large section is dedicated to basic first aid, including:
- Assessing injuries
- Responding to heavy bleeding
- Performing CPR
- Using defibrillators (AEDs)
The guide reminds readers that during major crises, professional medical help may be delayed, making basic first-aid knowledge especially important.
Modern Threats and Digital Safety
Beyond physical dangers, the handbook also addresses:
- Disinformation and fake news
- Cybercrime and online scams
- Protecting personal data during disruptions
This reflects the growing role of digital threats during emergencies.
Why Reading It Still Matters
Even though the handbook has already been delivered, many people have not read it in full — or at all. Authorities stress that the worst time to learn emergency procedures is during an emergency.
The Safety Guide Handbook is designed to be:
- Read in advance
- Discussed with family members
- Practiced through simple planning and drills
- Kept accessible for quick reference
Its final message is clear: safety is a shared responsibility, and individual preparedness strengthens the resilience of the entire community.
Safety Handbook:
Read the full Safety Handbook
Other links:
https://www.gov.pl/web/rcb-en/crisis-and-war-guide
https://www.gov.pl/attachment/a3b80715-b275-47f1-82e3-960f091b9408
Author
Pedro Duque
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