Kam se ukrýt
CZ

General warning

Siren rising and falling. What now?

A rising and falling siren tone for 140 seconds, up to three times in a row, means danger. Stay calm and follow these steps.

Five steps during an alarm

  1. Go immediately into the nearest brick or concrete building Ideally a cellar. If you are driving, stop.
  2. Close windows and doors Turn off ventilation and air conditioning.
  3. Turn on the radio or TV Czech Radio Radiožurnál (in Prague FM 94.6), ČT24. They will tell you what the danger is and what to do next.
  4. Only call if you really need to The network is needed by the emergency services. Do not pick up children from school, the school will look after them.
  5. Follow the authorities' instructions Take shelter or evacuate.

Is the radio or a talking siren announcing a leak of a dangerous substance? Then the opposite applies: go up, not into the cellar. What to do during a chemical leak

How to recognise a real alarm

There is only one warning signal in Czechia, the General warning (Všeobecná výstraha): a rising and falling siren tone that lasts 140 seconds and may sound up to three times in a row. Talking sirens then say what the danger is, in Czech.

The regular siren test has a steady tone and usually takes place on the first Wednesday of the month at 12:00. During the test, do nothing. You can listen to both signals on the sirens page.

Where to take shelter

  • As soon as the siren sounds: go into the nearest brick or concrete building, ideally a cellar or an inner room without windows.
  • Permanent shelters (and in Prague the metro and the Strahov tunnel) are not normally open. They open only on the authorities' order. You will hear on the radio or from talking sirens when they are open.
  • To find the nearest permanent shelter, use the Kam se ukrýt app or see Shelters in Czechia. Check in advance where the shelters are near your home, work and school.

What to do next

Stay inside and listen to the radio. The end of the danger is announced by radio and TV, not by the siren. If the authorities announce an evacuation, take your emergency bag, turn off gas, water and electricity and lock up.

Is there someone near you who might not hear the siren or understand Czech, such as older neighbours or visitors? Let them know.

In a real emergency, always follow the instructions of the emergency services. Updated 4 October 2026.