Choosing a Protective Space?

Upon receiving an alert, enter the protective space according to the time available to you to reach shelter, and wait 10 minutes. This action can prevent injuries resulting from rocket or missile hits, and even save our lives.
It’s important to choose “the most protected space possible”, based on the protection available and the ability to reach it in time.

Preferred ranking of protective spaces:

1. Your home’s protective space (mamad), or a communal shelter (mamak), are the preferred options.

2. Shelters:

A shelter in a shared building – provided that it can be reached in the time to reach shelter, or if it can be reached by an internal stairway.

A public shelter (miklat) – provided that it can be reached in the time to reach shelter available to you.

3. An internal stairwell:

Residents of the top floor in a building with more than three stories, which has no protective spaces in apartments, and no communal or public shelters – should descend two stories and remain in the stairwell. In buildings with more than three stories, the stairwells of each floor, other than the top two stories and the ground floor, are protected.

Residents of the top floor in a building with three stories, which has no protective spaces in apartments, and no communal or public shelters – should descend one story and remain in the stairwell. In buildings with three stories, the most protected stairwell is the middle floor (the second floor).

4. If there is no protective space in the apartment, and no communal or public shelter or internal stairwell, choose an internal room with as few external walls, windows and openings as possible.

Places which cannot be used as protective spaces
Do not choose washrooms or bathrooms, and avoid ceramics, porcelains and glass, which may shatter.

Please note

• When choosing a protective space, our ability to reach it in the time available to shelter should be taken into account!

• The route to the protective space should be planned in advance, and cleared of obstacles and items which may obstruct traffic, in order to prevent potential falls and injuries.

• In order for the protective space to best serve us in an emergency, it must be properly maintained.

• It is advised to prepare emergency supplies and a list of contact information for emergency services, family members and neighbors, to store in the protective space.

• Don’t loiter in the area outside the building’s entrance, as there is a danger of falling shrapnel or shockwaves as a consequence of rockets falling near buildings.

• Doors to the building should be kept open, for the sake of people outdoors.

• For a large portion of the population, the stairwell is the most protected space available to them. If possible, keep chairs on hand for elderly.

Choosing a protective space under these guidelines greatly reduces the risk of injury from rockets and shrapnel, and has the power to save lives.