When to call 112?
.
Call 112 only in case of sudden real threat to life, health, safety, environment or property and when emergency services rapid assistance is needed, for instance when:
- building, car, forest, or other objects are openly burning, or when smoke is coming out of a building;
- trapped people need to be released from damaged vehicles, building ruins, fallen trees or installations;
- someone is attempting to steal a car;
- someone is attempting to damage or destroy property;
- you see a serious car accident with people injured or killed;
- you notice a man wanted by the police;
- you or people nearby you are victims of an act of violence;
- you find a thing which looks similar to explosives;
- you are a witness to an attempted suicide;
- you notice a person on the ground who may be unconscious;
- you or people nearby you are bleeding and you are not able to stop the bleeding on your own;
- a person is suffocating or is not able to breathe;
- a person suffers an electric shock (from lightning strikes or electricity streams);
- you are a witness of a serious work accident, i.e. when equipment in use cuts a limb or causes another injury.
.
When shouldn't you call to 112?
Remember that the 112 is intended to be called when one's life is in direct threat.
So do NOT call 112 when:
- you want to report a non-existing accident or just for fun;
- You want to check if 112 really works;
- you want to order pizza;
- you want to get a consultation from a physician or another medical specialist on the use of certain pharmaceuticals;
- you want to know schedules of public transports, trains or air flights information;
- you want to make a phone connection through a telephone exchange;
- you have an intention to offend the operator;
- you want to find out a person's or organization's contacts (phone number, address, activity description, goods in stock or prices etc...);
- you want to call a taxi;
- you want to express your opinion about some politicians, other people or events;
- you want to complain the fact that you are not allowed to enter a club, a bar, a café or a casino or you are refused to get your clothes or other materials back
Remember!!!
Any unnecessary, hoax or fake call to 112 is blocking a line and it can block a real life-threatening emergency call!
Be aware that making hoax calls to 112 may be punishable by a fine.
For non-emergencies or non life-threatening emergencies like property damage, accidents, cars broken into or blocking a street or parking space, theft, or vandalism - especially when the suspect is gone - call directly to local police.
However - when in doubt, dial it out - 112. You could save someone's life!
.
