Many establishments, such as shops, pharmacies, and banks, may be closed in an emergency. Therefore make sure you have a supply of food, water, medicine, cash, and the things you need at home. For tips on this, see the sections “How to prepare a water supply,” “What food to stock up on for home and a survival kit,” “How to prepare a first aid kit.”

The supply of electricity, water, gas, heat, telephone, mobile, internet, ATMs and bank terminals, shops, and pharmacies may be entirely or partially blocked in the event of military actions.

If you live in a private house, equip the simplest shelter in your basement.

Offer older neighbors or people who cannot move on their own to help prepare a home and a survival kit and take them to the shelter if necessary.

Due to the hostilities in Ukraine, there is a threat of dams, reservoirs, and locks being breached or deliberately destroyed by Russian troops. In the event of an emergency – flooding – it is important for the population to prepare in time.

The most dangerous places in cities and villages are

• river basins
• tributaries of rivers

First of all, it is necessary to follow the instructions and recommendations of local authorities and rescuers.

Flooding as an emergency situation

In the event of sudden flooding or the destruction of hydraulic structures, rescue services and local authorities will notify the public with sirens or loudspeakers.

If you hear such a warning or see water approaching, follow these rules when you are in the house:

If you have been informed of the flooding in advance and have time to prepare, listen carefully to the emergency information and keep your radio or TV on. Warn your neighbors and find out from the local authorities where to gather for evacuation. Prepare an emergency suitcase, turn off the electricity and turn off the gas. If possible, move things from the ground floor to higher floors and move cattle to a safe place. Put fuels, oil and hazardous substances in a safe place on higher ground so that they don’t contaminate the environment.

Seasonal flooding: how to prepare?

In the fall, winter, and spring, some regions of Ukraine suffer from seasonal flooding. If you live in a risk area or have been warned about flooding in advance and are unable to move to a safe place for a while, you should

1. collect enough water for yourself and your cattle: it is strictly forbidden to drink water from flooded wells
2. Prepare sandbags to block the entrance to the premises and exterior walls up to a height of 1 meter
3. Keep valuables on the upper floor

What to do after a flood

Дізнайтеся в місцевої влади контакти організацій, що допомагають потерпілим.

Water bodies in some regions of Ukraine have become dangerous because of mines. They can be carried by the current for several hundred kilometers. However, you should be careful around water not only because of explosive devices. According to rescuers, in recent years, about 1,500 people have died in the water during the season. Most often, such cases occur in water bodies that are not equipped for swimming.

To ensure that your vacation ends without such accidents, you should follow the rules of behavior around water.

• talk with them about the rules of behavior near the water;

• do not leave children near water or in water without adult supervision;

• If a child does not know how to swim, do not let him or her go into water above the waist.

• Call for help, ask to call the rescuers.

• If there are no rescuers nearby, find an object that will help the person stay afloat: a life ring, a rubber chamber, anything the person can grab onto.

• If you are a good swimmer, confident in your abilities, and you know how to save a person, swim to help them. Do not try to pull the person out of the water if you are in danger. Remember: a person in a state of panic is not in control of their actions and can harm you.

• Swim to the victim from the back.

• As you approach the victim, ask him or her to calm down and explain that you can help.

• Help the person to stay afloat and swim to safety.

• When pulling the victim out of the water, involve those who are willing to help, while securing the cervical spine with your hands.

Ensure that you have a water supply for yourself and your family for at least 72 hours.

If you are not sure about the quality of drinking water, we recommend having supplies for additional cleaning — filter jug ​​for mechanical water purification or tablets for quick disinfection of water.

Ways to purify water for drinking 

These methods don’t give a 100% guarantee that the water will be safe, but they can still save you from dehydration. 

Boiling. An effective method of disinfection. It should be boiled for at least 10 minutes from the start of boiling. It can be stored (even in a closed bottle) for no more than a day. 

Tourist water disinfection tablets. Tablets can be bought in tourist shops and pharmacies. They contain chlorine, iodine, chlorine dioxide or other disinfectants. Follow the instructions for use. 

Disinfection with iodine. Add 3-4 drops of iodine to 1 litre of water. Pass it through a filter and wait an hour before drinking. The water will have a smell and taste of iodine. You can’t drink this water for a long time. If possible, ask for advice from a doctor, as iodine can be dangerous for pregnant women, people with iodine allergy, and people with thyroid problems. 

Disinfection with activated charcoal. For 1 litre of water, you need 4-5 tablets. They should be crushed, wrapped in cheesecloth and put into a container of water for 6-12 hours. Such disinfected water will be safe for consumption for no more than 3 days. 

Water filters. Buy water filters and additionally purify water from ditches or wells after boiling.

Filtration of rainwater and water from open water bodies (emergency method). 

In a critical situation, you can boil river, lake, or rainwater and pass it through a filter. This method should not be used if the water is “blooming”, is stagnant, or is contaminated with chemicals or radiation. Use this method only when you need to survive. 

Power outages, nuclear threats, occupation – all of these things encourage people to create a strategic stockpile of food at home in case of an emergency. To ensure that the supplies do not spoil for a long time, you should take care of their proper storage.

The following products have a long shelf life:

cereals (more than 3 months);
beans (up to a year);
pasta (about a year);
nuts, seeds, crackers (2-3 months);
canned food (from 1 year).
Rules for storing cereals

After purchasing the product, pour the cereal into a clean, dry container.
It should be stored in a container that can be tightly closed (e.g. a glass or plastic container).
Place the container in a dry, dark place (e.g., a cupboard).
Pasta can be stored in its original packaging or in the same way as cereals.

For storing beans, the following is important

dry environment, as humidity can cause fungal growth;
convenient packaging: box, bag, container, sack.
A dry, cold, dark place is best for nuts and seeds. You can put them in a sack or container made of thick plastic. It is important that the nuts are fresh, then the storage time will be longer, and the seeds should be bought in non-transparent packaging.

Most fruits and vegetables are best stored in the refrigerator, but potatoes, carrots, beets, apples, and onions can be stored in a dark, dry place for a long time. The most important thing is to ensure that the room is free of moisture, as fungus will start to grow on the fruits and vegetables.

Watch more about food storage in the video of the Dovidka.info project

• all dishes necessary for canning are sterile;

• completely clean products;

• fresh products, without signs of spoilage;

• the product is fully cooked (the dish should not be undercooked or raw);

• spices have been heated in a frying pan over low heat before adding to eliminate possible bacteria;

• the lid is properly and tightly closed (it is advisable to check vegetable canned food by turning it upside down)

• Canned fish and meat are properly cooled after cooking (the room should be up to +20°C)

To ensure that you always have food, if possible, stock up on instant cereals and soups, canned food, pates, canned vegetables, crackers and biscuits, nuts and dried fruit. In addition, we advise you to have a stock of porridges that don’t necessarily require cooking, but can be just covered with water and left for a while. 

To prepare these porridges, you need boiling water and a towel/blanket to wrap the bowl:

which porridge how long it is cooked in boiling water

couscous 5 – 10 min 

oatmeal 20 min

bulgur (small size) 20 min
bulgur (medium size) 40 min
wheat 30 – 50 min
millet 1 h
barley 2 – 3 h

To prepare these porridges, it is enough to have cold water, kefir or milk:

which porridge in cold liquid
semolina 15 – 20 min
couscous 20 – 30 min
oatmeal 30 min – 1 h
buckwheat (brown) 5 – 10 h
pearl barley 10 – 24 h
quinoa 24 h

All these porridges can also be cooked in a thermos. One hour of boiling on the stove is equal to 4-5 hours of steeping in a thermos. 

How to properly store food in the absence of electricity 

• If the power was cut off not long ago, the fridge will remain cold for several hours. Try to open the door as rarely as possible. Eat perishable food first. 
• If the temperature outside is low, you can keep the food outdoors. 
• Buy perishable food in small portions. 
• If you have any fish or meat left in your stocks, it is better to cook them first And if you’re worried that you won’t have enough time to eat, invite your neighbours over for a meal, for example.

Prepare two first aid kits – one for emergencies (for example, in case of injury), the other for your household needs (pain relief, elimination of symptoms of poisoning, elimination of allergic reactions, etc.).

Put a tag in your top or side pocket with your name and contacts if you lose your backpack. If possible, bring photos of family or friends with you — this will help you find them if the group splits.

After packing, try to lift your backpack and walk with it. If it is too heavy, optimize its contents: it is crucial to bring it to the shelter without problems.

Put a label with the child’s name, year of birth, home address, planned destination, and information about the parents – names and contacts in the backpack and pocket of the child’s clothes. Explain to your child when and how to use this note.

Discuss all possible scenarios with relatives and friends: if the whole family is at home together and if one of the family members is absent.

An emergency can happen when you are in different places. Therefore, agree in advance on the meeting place, routes, and general action plan. In addition, decide on how you will communicate if the connection is lost (prepare walkie-talkies, arrange a meeting point or a place to leave a note with information).

Make a list of important numbers for each family member: write them down or print them out. Then, arrange for each family member to carry it with them.

As of April 1, 2023, more than 8,500 children in Ukraine were left without parental care due to Russian aggression. This information comes from the National Social Service of Ukraine. Of these, more than 1,500 children have become orphans. These figures are approximate, as the exact number cannot be determined due to the hostilities and partial occupation of the country.

In Ukraine, parents have the opportunity to take care of their child’s future. They can provide financial support by getting insurance or opening a special bank account.

Who will take care of the child in the event of the parents’ death? 

n order for a child to be cared for by someone whom the parents trusted, it must be proved that this is what the parents really wanted. After all, according to court practice, judges give preference to relatives in matters of custody. And if the parents wanted their child to be cared for not by relatives, but, for example, by their best friends whom they fully trust, such a wish must be formalized in advance:

• make an application with a notary who will certify the signatures of the parents;
• draw up a will, where the wishes of who can become a guardian will be indicated;
• keep photos and videos showing that the person has contact with the child (this will be additional evidence during the trial);
• talk to the child about the possible guardianship, as the child’s desire is the most important point to which the judge will pay attention when determining the guardian.

All of this will increase the chances that the court will take into account the wishes of the deceased parents regarding the guardian, although it does not guarantee it. After all, in Ukraine, unlike in some other countries, parents cannot officially determine who will take care of their child in the event of their death.

• contact the local service for children

• provide a package of necessary documents:

  • an application
  • a health certificate;
  • a certificate from a narcologist and psychiatrist for persons living with the applicant;
  • income statement for the last 6 months;
  • certificate of the presence or absence of a criminal record;
  • certificate of completion of a training course on the upbringing of orphans and children deprived of parental care;
  • a document confirming the ownership of the housing;
  • copy of passport, marriage certificate (if married);
  • written consent of all adult family members living with the applicant.

• A will of a serviceman can be certified by his commander and submitted through the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense to the Ministry of Justice or its territorial body. The latter registers the will in the Inheritance Register.

• Registration in the Inheritance Register is mandatory.

• A serviceman may write a will by hand on a plain sheet of paper with the title  “Will”.

• The following must be indicated in the will: Full name, passport number and series, address, date and place of writing.

• It is necessary to clearly indicate what property will go to whom. Add everything you know about the heir: Name, address, etc.

To take a child into a family during the war, use the chatbot “A Child is Not Alone” https://t.me/dytyna_ne_sama_bot The bot was created with the participation of UNICEF, the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of Social Policy. Write to the chatbot if:

• you want to temporarily shelter a child in a family;
• you see an unattended child;
• your child is lost.

How to raise a child without a father, explains Svitlana Arefnia, PhD in Psychology. You can watch the video at the link

The material was created with the help of Gennadiy Dubov, PhD in Law

Please note that it is forbidden to take animals to shelter. If possible, arrange in advance with friends or family members who live in a safe place to hand over the animal.

Ticks live in tall grass and bushes. It is commonly believed that they jump down on you from a tree. This is not true. Ticks can’t jump at all. Therefore, if you find yourself in the forest and have the opportunity not to stay in the grass or bushes for a long time, you should do so.

No method will give you a 100% guarantee, but there are tips that will significantly reduce the risks.

The first step is to pull it out. Forget about outdated rules such as applying oil / polish / petroleum jelly to the tick. Don’t twist it with your hands or burn it. You need an effective tool – sharp-tipped tweezers or a special lasso pen (you can twist the tick with it). You can buy all of these at a pharmacy or in veterinary shops.

If you have tweezers:

• grab the tick as close to the skin as possible;
• be careful not to crush it;
• slowly pull the animal upwards;
• treat the bite with antiseptic or water and soap.

If you don’t have tweezers or a lasso pen, a strong thread will do, from which you should make a loop and put it over the tick. Make sure that the loop is not on the belly, but closer to the proboscis of the parasite, tighten the knot and start pulling the ends of the thread up gently, without effort. If any part of the tick remains, remove it with a sterile needle.

For two weeks, measure your body temperature daily, and if it rises or redness appears on the skin, consult a doctor.

When else should you see a doctor?

When you find a tick that is already of a large size (this means that it has been attached for a long time). Or if the tick has been on your body for more than 36 hours. Then you should immediately contact your doctor. If necessary, you will receive a prescription for an antibiotic. Never take an antibiotic yourself!

A tick can stay on a person or animal for up to 12 days. Adult ticks that have attached themselves are most often noticed in 2 – 3 days: swelling, itching, redness appear at the bite site, and the tick itself increases in size.

Do I have to send the tick that bit me for analysis?

No, you don’t need to submit ticks for analysis.

What are the symptoms of Lyme disease (borreliosis)?

• Fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Erythema migrans is a rash that looks like a circle. It gradually increases in size.
• The rash may be warm to the touch, but rarely hurts or itches.
• The rash can appear on any part of the body. However, it may not appear at all. According to the Ministry of Health, in 20-30% of cases, there is no spot at the bite site, but infection and Lyme disease are present.

These symptoms can take several months to appear. There is no vaccine against Lyme disease: it is still under development.

What are the symptoms of tick-borne viral encephalitis?

• Headache.
• Fever.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Sleep disturbance. 

This disease mainly affects the central nervous system, which can lead to disability and, in some cases, death. The virus is stored in the body of a tick that can get on your body from the ground, bushes, and tall grass. You can get infected if the tick attaches itself to you or if you crush or scratch the bite site.

Vaccination can protect against tick-borne encephalitis. Basic protection consists of 3 intramuscular injections. Booster shots are required after 3 and 10 years For people over 50 years of age, a booster vaccination is recommended every 3 or 5 years, depending on the vaccine. Ask your family doctor for details

How to protect pets from ticks?

The main method of protecting animals from ticks is treatment with acaricidal pesticides. It is carried out monthly from March to October. The effect begins in 5-7 days, so it is necessary to treat the animal in advance. The pesticides are selected based on the weight of the animal.

What categories of animal treatments are there?

• Without a repellent effect. The active ingredient doesn’t repel parasites, but destroys them after they attach to the animal’s skin. 
• With a repellent effect. The use of the product can prevent tick bites, and thus infections. 
• Universal products both repel and kill parasites. 

All of these products are available in the form of sprays, shampoos, pills, drops on the withers and special collars. For greater protection, you can combine the products: drops + collar or drops + spray. This combination will be the most reliable.

And if you plan to stay outdoors with your pet for a long time, protect it additionally: apply tick spray to lightweight, non-sticky clothes made of natural fabric and dress your pet in them.

Tick treatment is not 100% effective. Therefore, check your pet periodically. Don’t walk in areas with tall grass, thickets, and dry branches.

If you have found a tick on an animal’s body

If you have special tools for removing the tick (tweezers, lasso pen), you can do it yourself. However, as in the recommendations for humans, be careful, slowly pulling the animal upwards.

You should not pull the tick out of the animal abruptly: parts of the parasite’s body may remain in the skin, which will provoke disease. If you are unable to pull it out yourself, contact your veterinarian.

Symptoms of pyroplasmosis infection in animals

One of the most dangerous infections that ticks can transmit to animals is babesiosis (pyroplasmosis). It can lead to death in dogs, and in cats it can cause fever and anaemia. Pyroplasmosis is indicated by:

• Fever; 
• change in urine colour (it becomes darker);
• the animal becomes inactive and refuses to eat.

A timely visit and a veterinarian will help the animal in 2-3 days.