Easy to read — what to do in an emergency

📞 Emergency number

For any emergency, call 112.

It is free. It works also with no phone credit.

When they answer, say:

• your name;
• what happened;
• where you are.

Speak slowly. Do not end the call.

🌍 If the ground shakes

If you feel an earthquake:

• go under a table;
• put your hands on your head;
• stay still and wait.

Do not do these things:

• do not run away;
• do not use the lift;
• do not go to the window.

When the shaking stops, go outside calmly if the place is not safe.

🌧️ If it rains very hard

If it rains a lot and the water rises:

• stay at home;
• go to a higher floor;
• turn off the power with an adult, only if you can do it safely.

Do not do these things:

• do not go to the cellar;
• do not go through underpasses;
• do not drink tap water if the authorities say it is not safe.

🔥 If you see smoke

If you see a lot of smoke at home:

• tell an adult at once;
• go out of the house;
• call 112.

Do not do these things:

• do not go back inside;
• do not take the lift;
• do not open the windows.

⛈️ If there is a storm

If there is lightning and strong wind:

• stay at home;
• close the windows;
• wait for it to pass.

Do not stay:

• under a tree;
• in a swimming pool;
• on the balcony.

💨 If there is strong wind

If the wind blows very hard:

• stay at home;
• close windows and doors;
• stay away from the windows.

Do not do these things:

• do not stand under a tree;
• do not walk near old walls;
• do not go on the balcony.

Things on balconies can fall. Bring them inside, if you can do it safely.

💡 If the power goes out

If there is no electricity at home:

• stay calm;
• use a torch with batteries;
• keep the fridge closed;
• wait for the power to come back.

Do not do these things:

• do not light candles alone;
• do not take the lift;
• do not use a barbecue or a brazier inside the house.

If you use a machine that helps you breathe or live, call 112 at once.

☀️ If it is very hot

In summer there are very hot days:

• drink water often;
• stay at home in the hottest hours;
• close the blinds when there is sun;
• eat fruit and vegetables.

Do not do these things:

• do not go out in strong sun;
• do not drink alcohol;
• do not leave children or animals in the car.

If you feel sick, ask an adult for help. If a person faints, call 112.

📱 If you get an IT-alert

IT-alert is a message the State sends to your phone when there is a big danger.

• the phone rings loud, also if it is silent;
• a message appears on the screen;
• read all the message calmly;
• do what the message says.

Do not do these things:

• do not turn off the phone;
• do not call 112 to say you got the message;
• do not be afraid: it is there to protect you.

The message reaches all the phones in an area. You are not alone.

🔎 If you cannot find a family member

In an emergency a family can get separated. Do not panic.

• wait at the family meeting point, if you chose one before;
• if you have no meeting point, go home or to the nearest safe waiting area;
• call a person who lives in another town, chosen by the family (a relative or a friend);
• wait. The person will come to the same place.

Do not do these things:

• do not call 112 only to say you cannot find a relative, unless you think they are in serious danger;
• do not go looking around: you may miss each other.

🚪 If you must leave your home

If Civil Protection or the Fire Brigade tell you to leave the house:

• take the emergency backpack;
• take medicines, documents, phone and charger;
• turn off water, power and gas if you have time;
• close the door;
• go to the safe waiting area they tell you.

Do not do these things:

• do not go back for forgotten things;
• do not use the lift;
• do not go into underpasses and do not walk under big trees.

Help elderly neighbours or people who find it hard to walk, if you can do it safely.

🐕 If you have an animal with you

Dogs, cats and other animals must be protected too.

• keep the animal on a leash or in a carrier;
• bring food, water and the animal's medicines;
• bring the health booklet if you have it;
• take it with you to the safe waiting area: animals are allowed.

Do not do these things:

• do not leave the animal alone at home;
• do not leave the animal in the car in the heat;
• do not set the animal free: it may get lost.

For dogs, cats and pets the Group has a dedicated kit: Pet disaster kit.

🎒 Emergency backpack

Keep a backpack at home with:

• water;
• food that lasts a long time;
• a torch with batteries;
• a blanket;
• a phone charger;
• important medicines;
• an identity document.

📍 Where to go

In Genzano di Roma there are safe places.

They are called waiting areas (in Italian, aree di attesa).

They are open, wide spaces.

Go there if your home is not safe.

See the waiting areas of Genzano di Roma (map)

🆘 Who helps you

In Italy there are people who help during emergencies.

• Fire Brigade: they put out fires and make places safe.
• Carabinieri and Police: they help when there is danger.
• Medical rescue: they care for injured people.
• Civil Protection volunteers: they help people.

To ask for help in an emergency, call 112.

📚 Want to know more?

On the website there are other pages with more detail.

• What to do now
• Plan for my family
• Useful phone numbers
• Frequently asked questions
• Easy sheets for school

If you need help reading, ask a family member, a teacher or a person you trust.

✉️ Do you want to write to us?

If you have a question that is not urgent, write to:

segreteria@protezionecivilegenzano.it

Or come to our office:

Via Sicilia 13-15
Genzano di Roma

If there is an emergency, do not write an email. Call 112.

📄 Sheets with symbols to download

These are sheets that explain with symbols what to do in an emergency. They were made by Civil Protection with the Abili a Proteggere project.

You can download and print them:

• Earthquake (PDF)
• Flood (PDF)
• Forest fire (PDF)

There are also communication tables: symbols you can point to with your finger to say a need or what is happening. You can use them on screen or print them.

🎧 Do you want to listen instead of reading?

On the website you can find audio podcasts, infographics and presentations on important topics: earthquake, flood, fire, weather alert, emergency kit.

You can download them to your phone and listen whenever you want.

Go to the ready-made materials