Safety and emergency numbers in Finland

Finland is a safe country, and InfoFinland, the information service of Finnish public authorities, says serious crises and disturbances do not usually occur. Emergencies still happen to everyone eventually: a fall on the ice, a child with a high fever at night, a kitchen fire. Knowing the numbers and who to call for what saves time when it matters. This guide gathers the essentials for Americans living in Finland.

The numbers to save today

| Number | What it is for | |---|---| | 112 | Emergency: ambulance, fire, urgent police help | | 116 117 | Medical Helpline (Päivystysapu): advice before going to emergency care | | (09) 471 977 | Poison Information Centre, 24 hours | | +358-9-616-250 | US Embassy Helsinki, including after-hours emergencies for US citizens |

Put these in your phone and on the fridge.

112: the single emergency number

The emergency number (hätänumero) in Finland is 112. Call it when life, health, property or the environment is in danger. InfoFinland's examples:

• someone needs an ambulance;
• there is a fire;
• you need police assistance quickly.

### How the call works

A trained Emergency Response Centre operator answers, asks questions to assess the situation, and alerts the right units. Listen, answer the questions, and do not hang up until told to.

Practical points:

• 112 is free from any phone and needs no area code, including from a mobile subscription based abroad, so your US phone works;
• the Emergency Response Centre serves callers in Finnish, Swedish and English; for other languages, state your language first and an interpreter can be connected;
• the free 112 Suomi app can share your location automatically with the operator, which helps if you do not know where you are.

### When not to call 112

Do not call 112 for non-urgent matters or an ordinary illness. Questions to the police about permits, vehicle rules or the progress of an old case go to the police's own numbers during office hours.

Medical problems that are urgent but not emergencies

For a sudden illness at night or on a weekend that is not life-threatening, call the Medical Helpline, Päivystysapu, at 116 117. InfoFinland says it operates almost everywhere in Finland, and if it operates in your area, you should call it before going to emergency services. Staff advise you by phone on what to do.

Emergency care (päivystys) is usually at a hospital, sometimes in a neighboring town for small municipalities. Children and young people are often treated at a separate unit.

### Will I be charged?

In emergency situations, everyone receives treatment. InfoFinland notes that if you have no municipality of residence in Finland and no right to care based on work, for example, medical costs may be collected from you. Travel insurance or private health insurance matters until your Finnish entitlement is settled.

Poisoning

If you suspect someone has swallowed something poisonous, the Poison Information Centre (Myrkytystietokeskus) gives advice 24 hours a day on (09) 471 977. In a life-threatening situation, call 112 first.

Mental health crises

If you need help urgently, InfoFinland points you to your local health and social services center, an emergency clinic or an on-call hospital, or to the 116 117 Medical Helpline. MIELI Mental Health Finland runs a crisis helpline staffed by crisis workers and trained volunteers, with service in Finnish, Swedish and English. You can also seek help on behalf of a family member or friend.

The US Embassy in Helsinki

The Embassy's contact page tells Americans that the emergency number for police, rescue and fire in Finland is 112. For an emergency involving a US citizen, the Embassy can be reached during business hours and after hours, seven days a week, on its main number, +358-9-616-250.

For a US citizen in distress, the Embassy's services page gives the same main number. A lost passport is not an after-hours emergency. The Embassy says that although losing a passport is inconvenient, it is not a life-or-death emergency qualifying for after-hours service; it will help you replace the passport during business hours. Non-emergency questions go through the Embassy's online US Citizens Services Navigator.

If you need a lawyer

Legal trouble can be an emergency too. The Embassy's services page links to the English-language pages of the Finnish Bar Association, whose advocate finder lets you search for Finnish attorneys by location and practice area. The Embassy states that it assumes no responsibility for the quality of services of the lawyers listed, so treat the list as a starting point and ask about fees before you engage anyone.

The Embassy also handles cases of international parental child abduction, which it describes as removing or keeping a child outside the country of habitual residence in breach of another parent's or guardian's custody rights. If you fear this could happen in your family, contact the Embassy early rather than after a child has been taken.

STEP: let the Embassy reach you

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) lets you sign up for safety and security alerts and local updates while abroad. Residents should enroll too, not only tourists. STEP also helps the Embassy contact you in a crisis.

Fire and home safety

InfoFinland's home safety guidance is concrete:

• every home must have at least one smoke detector;
• in a fire, close doors to stop toxic smoke spreading;
• if a neighbor's apartment is on fire and the stairwell is full of smoke, stay in your own home;
• keep the washing machine valve closed when not in use to prevent water damage.

Preparing for disruptions

InfoFinland notes that Finland has a long tradition of preparing for unexpected situations, such as power outages, just in case. The national guide on suomi.fi explains how a household can prepare. Sensible basics:

1. Keep drinking water and some food that needs no cooking.
2. Have a flashlight, spare batteries and a battery radio.
3. Keep phones and a power bank charged.
4. Have warm clothing ready, since winter outages are the hardest.

Winter is the everyday risk

For most newcomers, the realistic hazards are slippery sidewalks, darkness and cold. InfoFinland's climate guidance advises dressing warmly in layers with a winter jacket, hat, gloves, scarf and warm shoes. Ice grips for shoes and a reflector for walking in the dark are cheap precautions.

A one-page plan

1. Save 112, 116 117, the poison line and the Embassy number.
2. Install the 112 Suomi app.
3. Enroll in STEP.
4. Check your smoke detector.
5. Know your nearest emergency clinic.
6. Keep insurance documents easy to find until your Finnish health entitlement is in place.

Common questions

What is the emergency number in Finland? 112, free from any phone with no area code, for ambulance, fire and urgent police help.

Who do I call for urgent medical advice in Finland? The Medical Helpline, Päivystysapu, on 116 117, before going to emergency services where it operates.

Can I reach the US Embassy in Helsinki after hours? Yes, for emergencies involving US citizens, on +358-9-616-250. A lost passport is handled during business hours.

Does the 112 operator speak English? Yes. The Emergency Response Centre serves callers in Finnish, Swedish and English, with interpreters for other languages.