Safety this summer starts with responsible behaviour.

High temperatures, increased traffic, outdoor activities, and a growing number of visitors are characteristic of the summer months in Croatia. While most citizens and tourists enjoy their holidays, summer is also a period of heightened risk from wildfires, heatwaves, accidents at sea, and other emergency events.

For this reason, the Civil Protection Directorate is once again running its “Enjoy your vacation responsibly” campaign to remind the public that most dangerous situations can be prevented through timely information and responsible behaviour.

A single unextinguished cigarette butt, insufficient water during a trip, or ignoring weather warnings can have serious consequences. On the other hand, a few simple precautionary measures can significantly contribute to the safety of everyone spending their summer in Croatia.

What can you do to stay safe?

The advice is simple, but following it can make a crucial difference:

• Avoid sun exposure during periods of high temperatures
• Drink enough water – dehydration can occur faster than you think
• Wear appropriate clothing, such as light-colored and lightweight garments, a hat, and sunglasses during high temperatures
• When going on trips in nature, bring enough food, water, and sun protection
• Use UV protection products regularly
• Avoid travelling during the hottest part of the day
• Do not light fires in open areas
• Regularly follow weather warnings issued by the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service (DHMZ) and road traffic updates from the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK)

Increased civil protection activities ahead of the tourist and wildfire season
To ensure a high level of preparedness and an effective response to potential emergencies, the Civil Protection Directorate is once again carrying out coordinated activities this season with local and regional authorities, civil protection headquarters, emergency services, and all other stakeholders within the civil protection system. Particular emphasis is placed on:

• assessing the current situation and updating information on available resources and responsible personnel;
• verifying capacities for accommodating evacuated persons;
• planning response measures in the event of major traffic disruptions or interruptions;
• ensuring the provision of basic assistance, including accommodation, food, water, and medical care.

Wildfire preparedness and international cooperation

As part of wildfire season preparations, Civil Protection Operations Centre, acting as the national contact point, coordinates information on the availability of Canadair firefighting aircraft within the rescEU capacity framework, and manages the provision and receipt of international assistance through the ERCC (Emergency Response Coordination Centre).

At the same time, State Civil Protection Intervention Unit operational forces is prepared to provide technical-tactical and logistical support in combating open-type fires, while the Civil Protection Directorate can supply and deliver equipment needed to establish operational bases, tent accommodation, and catering facilities for civil protection system forces.

In addition, in cooperation with the State Inspectorate (environmental protection inspections) — particularly for coastal areas — Civil Protection Directorate inspectors are conducting enhanced inspections of waste disposal sites, with special attention to the remediation of uncontrolled, so-called “illegal” dumping sites. Coordinated inspections are also being carried out of electricity infrastructure and overhead power line routes, as well as sites where significant quantities of hazardous, flammable, and explosive substances are stored and/or handled.

Inspectors are also monitoring the implementation of forest fire protection measures, forest management regulations, and bans on open-air burning and charcoal production in forests and woodland, including inspections of the construction and maintenance of firebreaks, roads, and forest tracks, water extraction points, hydrants, fire observation and reporting posts, railway lines passing through areas of high and very high fire risk, and more.

Inspections are also being conducted of municipalities, towns, and counties regarding the adoption and alignment of fire risk assessments and fire protection plans for their areas of responsibility, as well as compliance checks on tourism companies and operators with respect to technical and organisational fire protection measures.

Preventing wildfires through responsible behaviour

We urge all citizens and visitors to:

• refrain from lighting fires in open areas,
• never discard cigarette butts in nature,
• report any sign of smoke or fire immediately by calling 112 or 193!

The SRUUK System — warnings sent directly to your mobile phone

Additional safety is provided by the Early Warning and Crisis Management System (SRUUK), which enables rapid delivery of SMS or Cell Broadcast (CB) messages to citizens and tourists on their mobile devices.

112 — one number, always available

In any emergency — a road accident, fire, injury, or sudden illness — call 112. The line is available 24/7, in multiple languages. Last year, the proportion of legitimate emergency calls was high, and the number of malicious calls continued to fall— a sign that awareness of the purpose of the single European emergency number is growing. Let us continue to use 112 responsibly, as it is intended for those who need immediate assistance — and in such circumstances, every second can make a difference.

Fires can also be reported by calling 193.

The “Enjoy your vacation responsibly” leaflet — a quick reminder for everyone in Croatia this summer: CROATIAN / ENGLISH

Enjoy your summer. Responsibly.