Frequently asked questios

What is 112 Day and why is it held?

112 Day is a national theme day emphasising the importance of safety in people’s everyday lives. Each year 112 Day is celebrated on 11 February all over Finland. Various safety events are organised on this day, the aim being to draw attention to the avoidance of injury and accidents, as each of us can do much towards the prevention of accidents, fire and crime.

The Finnish 112 Day, part of the common European 112 Day, is when citizens all over Europe are educated about the 112 emergency number and its appropriate use. The European 112 Day is a project supported by the European Parliament, the European Council and the EU Commission.

The goal is to make 112 Day the most important and most visible campaign for the various safety actors, aimed at creating citizens able to communicate about everyday dangers, who are trained in dealing with emergencies, and who have a sense of responsibility.

For whom is 112 Day intended?

112 Day is intended for everyone, from preschoolers to pensioners.

What will happen on 112 Day and where?

112 Day can be celebrated in very many ways. The point is that 112 is the emergency number throughout the EU, and the main question is: Are you an Everyday Hero? The events draw attention to ways in which to avoid risks in everyday life. A wide range of advice will be available for improving safety in the home and in everyday life. The day also serves as a reminder of the 112 emergency number and of when you should call the number and what you should do if, in spite of every precaution, an emergency occurs.

Numerous public events, stunts and demonstrations will be organised on 112 Day to make the emergency phone number and services familiar to citizens. Major events may be organised jointly by several parties at shopping centres and on market places. They may involve people from the Emergency Response Centres, from the police, from local social services, from rescue services and from NGOs. A lot of information from experts in various fields will be available.

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How long has 112 Day been held?

In Finland, this tradition was introduced in 1997.

The European 112 Day was declared in 2009. On 11 February 2009, the European Commission, European Parliament and European Council declared 11 February European 112 Day.

What does it mean that 112 Day is a "shared effort"?

At 112 Day events, parties involved in public safety offer the general public a wide range of advice on how to make everyday life safer and tips on how to avoid accidents, crime and fires. Organisers include all safety bodies in each location. The national steering group for 112 Day include: the Emergency Response Centre Administration, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Police and Rescue Services departments of the Ministry of the Interior, and the rescue services.

Everyone can contribute to 112 Day and consider how to make their own lives safer.

So 112 Day is a shared effort for everyone involved in safety matters and for all citizens too!

Organising events for 112 Day

Where can I get help for organising events?

Safety promotion depends on cooperation between various actors. Indeed, one of the purposes of 112 Day is to encourage cooperation both nationwide and locally. The aim is for 112 Day events to be organised jointly by all authorities and NGOs engaged in safety work at any given location.

There is much information on organising an event on the 112 Day website. Often the practical arrangements involve the local rescue services, police, emergency response centre, social welfare and health care authorities and NGOs.

Who covers the cost of the events?

The organisers share the costs among themselves.

When should organising the event begin?

112 Day is an annual safety theme day, 11 February. The first info letters are mailed to organisers in the autumn. That would be the latest time to convene a local planning group.

Experiences from the previous year’s 112 Day should be used as a basis for planning. Organising 112 Day should be included in the annual plan of your organisation to avoid it coming as a surprise. After all, a year does pass very quickly.

How should the event be publicised?

The 112 Day national working group informs the media about the theme day.

Local organisers should contact local media themselves in good time before the day. Organisers are also responsible for local advertising.