In the face of increased threats - from blackouts and power outages, to the growing risk of armed conflict, disinformation or hybrid attacks - the authorities in Poland have decided to raise the level of civic awareness. The result of these activities is the "Safety Guide" developed by the Ministry of Interior and Administration in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence. The publication is a practical guide - with instructions on what to do before, during and after a crisis situation to protect yourself, your family, your property, and if necessary - how to react.

So far, the guide has been in digital form - available online. However, its authors decided that this was not enough. Not every person has easy access to the Internet; Some of the society are seniors, others are people who do not use the Internet regularly. That is why it was decided - the publication will also appear in paper form and will reach every household in Poland.

According to the announcements of the Ministry of Interior and Administration from September this year, the circulation was planned for about 13 million copies - which coincides with the number of households in the country. In subsequent announcements, there are also data on the increase in production - up to about 16 million copies, to take into account also copies available in offices, municipalities, centers, etc. In this way, the state strives to ensure that every citizen has physical access to this knowledge - regardless of their place of residence, age, situation - and that they can use the guide in conditions of difficult access to electricity or the Internet.

What is in the guide - content and scope

The guide has over 50 pages and contains comprehensive information divided into several parts: preparation, response, plan.

There are, among others:

1. Description of the civil protection and civil protection system: the role of authorities - from local governments to state services, the role of the citizen, duties. The guide explains how state structures and emergency services protect the public, and what the residents themselves can do.
2. Information about alarm signals and warning messages - what the sirens mean, when to react, what to do if an alarm or evacuation is announced.
3. Tips for preparing the house and its surroundings - how to secure the apartment, house, what to accumulate: supplies of water, food, medicines, hygiene products; how to take care of pets or farm animals; how to prepare an evacuation plan, maps, documents; how to take care of the elderly, children, people with disabilities.
4. Instructions for dealing with various crisis scenarios: blackout, power outage; fire; flood; biological, chemical, radiological hazards; air attack; the need for evacuation; war situations. The guide also describes how to act in war conditions or military threat.
5. Recommendations for an evacuation backpack.
6. Advice useful in a crisis - what to do if you do not have access to shelter; how to protect data, avoid panic; the basics of first aid.

The guide emphasizes that security does not depend solely on the state - it is also a common task of citizens. It encourages cooperation, solidarity, helping the family, neighbors, the elderly - thus building community resilience to crises.

The importance of the paper version and the scale of distribution

The decision to print millions of copies of the guide is not a coincidence. Paper form is a guarantee that content will reach everywhere - even where the internet or coverage is sometimes unavailable, or to people who do not use technology. Then the instructions will not be lost in the browser tabs - they will be physically available, ready to use.

The scale - 13-16 million copies - is practically every house in Poland. Thanks to this, the guide becomes a common tool, and the information - potentially available to the whole society. This is especially important in the context of growing uncertainty - climate, energy, but also geopolitical crises.

It is also a signal: the authorities are making them aware that security is not only about services - it is our common responsibility. Every citizen - regardless of age or status - can do something to protect themselves and their loved ones. It is enough to know "how" - and the guide is supposed to fill this gap.

The Security Guide is an important initiative - connecting state institutions and citizens in response to growing threats. Its publication in paper form, mass distribution and distribution to every home is a step towards raising awareness and resilience of the entire society. It is worth taking it seriously - review, plan, prepare yourself and your loved ones. In a crisis situation, this can be the difference between panic and preparation.

Photo: Krzysztof Gumul / WCEO / flickr MON

This article was prepared as part of the public task commissioned under the Government Programme for the Development of Civic Organizations 2018–2030: “Safe Poland of Tomorrow – strengthening the mission-driven activities of the Alioth Foundation.”