Unified Safety Day
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
On 24 September 2026, the Republic of Belarus will hold Unified Safety Day — an annual nationwide event aimed at improving public safety awareness.
The main objectives of the event are to train employees of organisations in the correct actions to take in the event of fires and other emergencies, as well as to develop first-aid skills, including self-help and mutual assistance, before the arrival of emergency services, medical personnel or the police.
The importance of such training is demonstrated by tragic incidents that have occurred around the world.
According to publicly available online sources:
— on 5 December 2009, a fire at the Lame Horse nightclub in Perm, Russia, killed 156 people;
— on 27 January 2013, a fire at a nightclub in Santa Maria, Brazil, killed 239 people;
— on 25 March 2018, a fire at the Winter Cherry shopping centre in Kemerovo, Russia, killed more than 60 people, including 37 children, while approximately 80 others were injured.
Among the factors that contributed to the high number of casualties were evacuation errors and panic.
No fires with consequences of this scale have occurred in the Republic of Belarus. Nevertheless, proper evacuation from public buildings in the event of a fire remains an important safety issue.
Fires occur at organisations and industrial facilities across the country every year.
During the first eight months of 2026, 399 fires occurred at organisational facilities in Belarus, excluding transport and residential properties. These incidents resulted in 10 deaths and 41 injuries.
A fire may occur both in the workplace and in a public area. In such circumstances, a person's life and health, as well as the safety of others nearby, can depend on how quickly and correctly they respond.
Fire Safety: Essential Rules and Precautions
Fire safety is a set of measures designed to prevent fires, minimise their consequences and protect people and property.
Compliance with fire safety requirements is important both at home and in the workplace.
Common Causes of Fires
The most common causes of fires include:
— careless handling of fire — smoking in prohibited areas and improper use of candles, matches or lighters;
— faulty electrical equipment — short circuits, overloaded electrical networks and damaged or poor-quality wiring;
— improper use of heating equipment — incorrect operation of stoves, fireplaces and heaters;
— children playing with fire — insufficient supervision and lack of safety education;
— natural factors — lightning, drought and other conditions that may cause fires in forests or open areas.
Basic Fire Safety Rules
1. At Home
— use only properly functioning electrical appliances and regularly check the condition of electrical wiring;
— do not overload electrical outlets and use only certified and serviceable extension leads;
— do not leave operating electrical appliances unattended, including irons, heaters, cookers, mobile phones and computer equipment;
— store flammable substances such as petrol, acetone and solvents in safe locations away from ignition sources;
— install a smoke or fire detector at home and make sure you know how to use and maintain it;
— do not allow children to play with fire and teach them basic fire safety rules.
2. In the Workplace
— follow all applicable rules and operating requirements for equipment;
— conduct regular fire safety briefings and training for employees;
— ensure that fire-extinguishing equipment, including fire extinguishers and fire hose reels, is available and in proper working condition;
— regularly check fire alarm and automatic fire suppression systems;
— keep evacuation routes and emergency exits clear at all times.
3. In Forests and Open Areas
— do not light fires in prohibited areas or during periods of increased fire risk;
— before leaving an area, make sure any fire has been completely extinguished;
— do not discard burning matches or cigarette ends;
— observe all restrictions and bans on visiting forests during periods of high fire danger.
What to Do in the Event of a Fire
If a fire occurs, it is important to act quickly, calmly and consistently:
— call the emergency services on 101 or 112. Provide the exact address and describe the nature of the fire;
— evacuate people from the danger area. Pay particular attention to children, elderly people and anyone who may require assistance;
— if the fire is still small and attempting to extinguish it does not put your life at risk, use a fire extinguisher or another appropriate means of fire suppression;
— if it is safe to do so, switch off electricity and gas supplies;
— do not open windows or doors unnecessarily, as the additional supply of oxygen may intensify the fire;
— if the area is filled with smoke, move towards the exit while keeping as low as possible and, where possible, cover your nose and mouth with cloth.
Preventive Measures
To reduce the risk of fire:
— install and properly maintain fire alarm systems;
— regularly inspect electrical wiring and equipment;
— train employees and family members in fire safety;
— develop evacuation plans and ensure that everyone is familiar with them;
— keep evacuation routes and emergency exits unobstructed.
Fire safety is everyone's responsibility.
Following basic safety rules and precautions can significantly reduce the risk of fire, protect lives and health, and prevent damage to property.
Remember: preventing a fire is much easier than dealing with its consequences. Stay alert and take care of yourself and those around you.