Russian drones pose a threat to Ukrainian cities and villages every night. An attack can occur in any area, and no one knows for sure whether the next attack will be deadly. The main rule for every Ukrainian today is to always be prepared, because preparedness can save lives at a critical moment.
After receiving a signal about the threat of an air strike, you need to act quickly and without delay. According to experts, it is worth preparing an “alarm suitcase” even before the alarm starts: it should include documents, money, drinking water, painkillers, bandages and a first aid kit. Warm clothes and shoes should be waiting in the corridor, dog leashes and cat boxes should be nearby.
It is important to remove mirrors and any glass surfaces from the corridor in advance - fragments during the blast wave can cause fatal injuries. When the siren sounds, you need to immediately get dressed, take prepared things and animals and move to a safe place - ideally to a shelter. Waiting to see if your area will be hit is dangerous. Every minute of delay can cost your life.
In the event of an aircraft landing on a residential area, a person has no more than 10 seconds to evacuate. The blast wave can cause hearing loss, nausea, and a sharp deterioration in well-being, so water and a basic first aid kit should be at hand.
Special attention should be paid to animals. During explosions, even the calmest pets can get scared, break free, or run away. That is why cats should only be transported in crates, and dogs should be kept on a strong leash. Even if your dog has never been afraid of loud noises, panic during a real attack can change his behavior.
Before leaving the house, it is imperative to turn off the gas. In many cases, explosions lead to damage to gas communications, which causes fires. It is also important to leave entrances and roads free for rescue services: quick access by firefighters and medics can save not only your life, but also the lives of your neighbors.
If you have caged dogs in the house, you need to take care of them too. Even animals that have reacted calmly to shelling before can become frightened by the explosion and get lost.
Ukrainians are advised not to rely on luck and not to postpone preparations “for later.” Timely collection of things, a well-thought-out algorithm of actions, and cold calculation at a critical moment can be the key to survival during another night attack.
