Taking shelter and contact points – where to go in an emergency

Hazards and what to do · Updated: October 22, 2026

In an emergency most people are safest at home. Still, it is worth knowing which rooms protect you and where to get help when phone and power fail.

Which rooms protect you?

According to the BBK, the best protection from explosions or flying debris is:

• interior rooms with few outer walls, doors and windows
• ideally windowless basement rooms
• without a basement: the stairwell, bathroom or hallway inside the building
• rule of thumb: two walls between you and the outside

Avoid the attic – a roof offers little protection. When you are out, public buildings such as schools, museums, underground car parks or underground stations can provide shelter. Keep away from entrances, windows and doors there and do not use lifts.

What about public shelters?

According to the BBK, Germany still has 579 public shelters, but they are neither functional nor ready for use. The federal government and the states are working on a new concept and a digital directory of places of refuge. Until then: take shelter in the nearest solid building.

Contact points during a blackout

Germany: Many municipalities set up civil protection "lighthouses" (Katastrophenschutz-Leuchttürme) – often in fire stations, town halls or community halls. They have a uniform logo across Germany and only open in an emergency. There you get information and can make an emergency call if the phone network is down. But they do not replace your own preparations.

Austria: According to the Ministry of the Interior, all police stations stay staffed as contact points during a blackout. Ask your municipality whether the town hall or fire station also serves as a contact point.

Vienna: Together with religious communities, the city developed the "Lichtinseln" (islands of light) – rooms for people who need information or someone to talk to in a crisis. They are open to everyone, whatever their religion, and can be recognised by candles or lanterns at the entrance. The religious communities let their neighbourhoods know about them.

In an acute emergency

If the phone works, the emergency number is always the fastest way: 112 across Europe, in Austria also 144, 122 and 133, in Germany 110.

In an emergency, always follow the instructions of the authorities and emergency services.