This is the English text of «Il libro che si esplora», the civil protection book of the municipal volunteer group of Genzano di Roma. Each chapter describes a situation and asks what you would do. Choose your answer, then open Show the answer to check it.
The interactive 3D book is in Italian. The pages linked in each chapter are in Italian too.
In an emergency, call 112, the single European emergency number. It is free and works from any phone.
Chapter 1 · Earthquake risk
The shaking
You are at home and you feel an earthquake. You have only a few seconds to choose where to stay.
Where do you take cover during the shaking?
- Under a sturdy table
- Next to the window
- Down the stairs, towards the exit
Show the answer
The safe choice is A. Take cover under a sturdy table or desk, or next to a load-bearing wall, and protect your head with your arms or a cushion. Do not rush outside during the shaking, do not use the stairs or the lift, and stay away from windows, glass, mirrors and heavy furniture.
- Why not B: Windows, glass and mirrors can break: stay away from them during the shaking.
- Why not C: Do not run outside during the shaking, and do not use the stairs or the lift.
More information: Earthquake risk: what to do during the shaking (in Italian).
Chapter 2 · Flood and landslide risk
The water rises
It has been raining for hours and water starts coming into the house from below. It fills the rooms below street level first.
Water is coming into the house. Where do you go?
- To the cellar, to save things
- To the top floor of the house
- To the garage, to move the car
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Go up to the upper floors of the house, without using the lift. During the flood do not go down into cellars, garages or basements. If you can do it safely, turn off the gas and the electricity, but do not touch the electrical system with wet hands or feet.
- Why not A: Cellars and basements are the first places the water fills: do not go down there during a flood.
- Why not C: Cellars and garages flood first, and the pressure of the water can jam the door. A car can be replaced, a person cannot.
More information: Flood and landslide risk: what to do during the event (in Italian).
Chapter 3 · Flooded roads
The underpass
You are in your car. The road dips into an underpass and the road surface is covered with water. From here you cannot see how deep it is.
The underpass ahead of you is flooded. What do you do?
- I drive through slowly: the water looks shallow
- I drive through fast, so I do not stop
- I turn back and look for another road
Show the answer
The safe choice is C. Never drive through an underpass or a flooded road. A few centimetres of water are enough to make you lose grip or stall the engine, and under the surface there may be holes or open manholes. If the car stops and you can get out without stepping into the current, leave it and walk up to higher ground. If the current is strong, stay inside and call 112, the single European emergency number.
- Why not A: A few centimetres of water are enough to make you lose grip or stall the engine.
- Why not B: Even if you go fast, you do not know what is under the water: the car can go out of control or stall.
More information: Flood and landslide risk: if you are in a car (in Italian).
Chapter 4 · Wildfires
Wind and smoke
A column of smoke rises from the woods near your home and the wind is pushing it. First of all, you call 112, the single European emergency number.
You can move away safely. Which way do you go?
- Towards the smoke, to see what is going on
- The opposite way from the smoke and the fire
- Towards the flames, to try to put them out
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Call 112, the single European emergency number, right away, giving the place and the direction of the smoke. If you can move away safely, do so immediately, in the direction opposite to the smoke and the fire. Do not go near the flames and do not try to put the fire out on your own. Do not flee uphill ahead of the fire. If you are a child, tell an adult straight away.
- Why not A: In smoke, visibility can drop to zero very quickly: do not stay on roads where there is smoke.
- Why not C: Do not go near the flames and do not try to put the fire out on your own.
More information: Wildfire risk: what to do during a fire (in Italian).
Chapter 5 · Weather alerts
The alert colours
The bulletins use four colours. Each colour tells you how intense and widespread the expected events may be.
An orange alert is forecast for tomorrow. What do you do?
- Nothing different: it is just rain
- I limit my trips and keep the kit ready
- I go and look at the stream as it swells
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. With an orange alert, limit your trips to what is strictly necessary, secure your belongings in basements and cellars, keep your emergency kit ready and follow the instructions of the authorities.
- Why not A: Orange means events that may be widespread and dangerous: you need to get ready.
- Why not C: Do not stay near watercourses: ditches and streams swell very fast.
More information: Weather alerts and colour codes (in Italian).
Chapter 6 · Emergency kit
The ready backpack
A light backpack, kept near the exit, to grab on the way out when you have to leave home within a few minutes.
Which of these items does NOT go in the backpack?
- The torch
- The candle
- The whistle
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. The candle stays out: for light use a torch, because candles can start a fire. The backpack should hold documents, medicines, a phone with its charger, a torch, a whistle, water and long-life snacks.
- Why not A: The torch is needed: it is a safe light when the power is out.
- Why not C: The whistle is needed: it helps people find you if you are trapped.
More information: Emergency kit: the backpack to grab on the way out (in Italian); Blackout: a torch, not candles (in Italian).
Chapter 7 · Heatwaves
The midday sun
A heatwave is under way. You have to go out to run an errand and you can choose the time.
What time do you go out?
- At one o'clock, to get it done sooner
- Before 11 am or after 6 pm
- At three o'clock, a hat will do
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Avoid going out in the hottest hours, from 11 am to 6 pm. Drink plenty of water even if you do not feel thirsty, wear light-coloured, light clothes, a hat and sunglasses, and lower the shutters when the sun is direct. Never leave people or animals in a car parked in the sun.
- Why not A: From 11 am to 6 pm are the hottest hours: avoid going out and physical effort in that time.
- Why not C: A hat helps, but from 11 am to 6 pm it is better to stay in the cool.
More information: Heatwaves: what to do during one (in Italian).
Chapter 8 · Severe thunderstorms
The lightning
You are in an open field and a thunderstorm with lightning arrives. There is a lone tree, a light shelter roof, a car and a brick house.
Where do you take shelter?
- Under the lone tree
- Under the light shelter roof
- In the brick house, or in the car with the windows closed
Show the answer
The safe choice is C. Go into a solid building or into a car with the windows closed. Move away from lone trees, metal poles, pylons and metal fences, and do not take shelter under roofs or makeshift structures. Indoors, unplug electrical appliances and stay away from windows and French windows.
- Why not A: Lone trees are natural targets for lightning: move away from them.
- Why not B: Light roofs and makeshift structures do not protect you: do not take shelter there.
More information: Severe thunderstorms: what to do during one (in Italian).
Chapter 9 · Strong wind
The gusts
You are walking down the street and the wind is blowing in very strong gusts. Around you there is a billboard, scaffolding, a tree and a building.
What do you do?
- I stop under the building's cornice
- I go into a building and stay away from the windows
- I take cover behind the billboard
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. If possible, stay indoors, away from windows and glass doors, with doors and windows closed. If you are outside, move away from trees, lamp posts, scaffolding and billboards, and do not stand under cornices or hanging structures.
- Why not A: Do not stand under cornices or hanging structures: pieces can fall.
- Why not C: Billboards, scaffolding, trees and lamp posts are exactly what you should move away from.
More information: Strong wind: what to do during it (in Italian).
Chapter 10 · Blackout
In the dark
It is evening and the power goes out across the whole neighbourhood. It is dark at home.
What do you do first?
- I light candles
- I take a torch and unplug the appliances
- I open the fridge to check the food
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Stay calm: blackouts are usually temporary. Use a torch, not candles. Unplug appliances and leave just one lamp switched on so you notice when the power comes back. Keep the fridge and freezer closed. Do not use fuel generators in enclosed spaces.
- Why not A: Candles can start a fire: for light, use a torch.
- Why not C: Keep the fridge and freezer closed: food keeps for many hours without opening them.
More information: Blackout: what to do during one (in Italian).
Chapter 11 · Volcanic risk and gas
The gas you cannot see
In some areas of the Colli Albani the ground can release carbon dioxide. It is an invisible, odourless gas, heavier than air, that collects in cellars, wells and poorly ventilated basements.
You enter a cellar, you feel dizzy and you see an animal lying motionless on the floor. What do you do?
- I go down to get the animal
- I get out into the open air at once and call 112
- I stay to take a closer look at what is happening
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Get out into the open air immediately and do not go back. Call 112, the single European emergency number, and say «suspected gas in a confined space»: the Fire Brigade arrives with breathing apparatus. Do not enter to help anyone lying on the floor without equipment and training, and keep other people away. If you are a child, get out and tell an adult straight away.
- Why not A: Do not enter an enclosed space to help someone lying on the floor: you would become the second victim.
- Why not C: Do not stay to take a closer look: get out into the open air at once.
More information: Volcanic risk: suspected carbon dioxide build-up (in Italian).
Chapter 12 · Tsunami
The sea pulls back
You are at the seaside, on the coast of Lazio. Suddenly the sea pulls back and leaves an unusually wide stretch of beach uncovered.
What do you do?
- I go and look from close up
- I wait for an official warning
- I walk away to high ground
Show the answer
The safe choice is C. Move away from the beach on foot at once and get to high ground, without waiting for an official message. If you cannot, go up to the upper floors of a solid building. Avoid the car: coastal roads get blocked. Stay up high until the all-clear: the first wave may not be the biggest.
- Why not A: Do not go down towards the sea to watch or take photos: minutes count.
- Why not B: If you recognise the natural signs, do not wait for confirmation: move away at once.
More information: Tsunami: signs and what to do (in Italian).
Chapter 13 · Industrial risk
The cloud
An accident at a nearby plant releases a cloud of hazardous substances. The authorities ask the public to protect themselves.
What do you do?
- I run away on foot through the cloud
- I go indoors, close doors and windows and switch off the ventilation
- I rush to pick up the children from school
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Go into the nearest closed building, close doors and windows, switch off ventilation, air conditioners and boilers, seal any gaps with damp cloths and go up to the upper floors. Listen to the official channels and go out only if the authorities order an evacuation.
- Why not A: Do not go through the cloud on foot or by car: sheltering indoors is almost always safer.
- Why not C: The school follows its own emergency plan: taking children out would expose them to the cloud.
More information: Industrial risk: what to do during an incident (in Italian).
Chapter 14 · Radiological emergency
Sheltering indoors
A radiological emergency: the authorities order the population of the area to shelter indoors.
What do you do?
- I take the car and drive away
- I stay at home, close everything and follow the official channels
- I take the iodine I have at home
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Follow the instructions of the authorities. If you are told to shelter indoors, stay at home, close doors and windows, switch off ventilation and air conditioners and, if you can, stay in an inner room. If you were outdoors, take off your outer clothes, seal them in a bag and take a shower. Take iodine only if the health authorities order it, and do not pass on unverified rumours.
- Why not A: If you have been told to shelter indoors, setting out on a journey exposes you more.
- Why not C: Iodine is taken only if and when the health authorities order it: on your own it is useless or harmful.
More information: Nuclear and radiological risk: what to do during an emergency (in Italian).
Chapter 15 · Drought
The water that runs short
It has not rained for months and the municipality has issued an order because of the water crisis: drinking water must be saved.
What do you do?
- I wash the car anyway: it is only a little water
- I follow the bans and cut my consumption
- I drink from an unchecked country drinking fountain
Show the answer
The safe choice is B. Follow the municipal orders: the water you save is needed for drinking. Take shorter showers, turn off the tap while you brush your teeth, reuse the water from washing vegetables for plants. If the supply is cut off at certain hours, fill clean containers and keep them covered. Check that vulnerable people in your neighbourhood have water.
- Why not A: Washing the car, filling swimming pools and watering lawns are among the uses that such orders usually restrict.
- Why not C: Do not drink water from wells, springs or fountains that are not checked: scarcity does not make it safe.
More information: Drought: what to do during one (in Italian).