What to do when terror strikes
The world has been left in shock and horror after the suicide bombing that left 22 people dead and over 60 people injured during an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in the United Kingdom last week. In Thailand too, people have yet to recover from the grief caused by the recent blast at Phramongkutklao Hospital that injured 25 people.
In response to these and other bombings, Thailand’s National Institute for Emergency Medicine has released its latest infographic with an objective to provide instructions to the public on what to do when coming across suspected explosive objects or devices. The infographic has been widely circulated on social media channels since its launch.
Titled “Dangers From Suspicious Objects”, the infographic features easy-to-understand cartoon drawings accompanied by dialogues suggesting what to do when in doubt of suspicious objects. First, it is most important not to touch or move the object. Instead, call the Royal Thai Police (RTP) 191 hotline immediately.
Evacuating from the area is the second protocol to follow but must be done gently so as to not cause panic among people. Although easier said than done, staying calm is a must.
If the suspicious object explodes or sparks, look for a strong shelter. If, however, stuck inside a building, put a wet towel underneath the door to prevent toxic gas from entering.
It is also paramount to stay above the wind, turn off air conditioning and wear proper clothing to prevent yourself from injury. The National Institute for Emergency Medicine recommends that if possible, cover the suspicious object with a tyre and call its hotline 1669 immediately in case of accidents or injuries.
But the question is which object should be branded as suspicious? First, items like an unclaimed backpack, bag, box or package in an area where it shouldn’t be. Second, items that look out of place such as a parcel that is not tightly sealed or an item that contains components such as electric wires, a battery, clock or phone. Press 191 on your phone and report the object right away.
This is not the first time that the National Institute for Emergency Medicine has released an infographic suggesting how to react in time of accidents or crisis. The institute has always been active in providing the public with informative and useful guidelines to handle various kinds of circumstances, including electric shock during rainy season, how to do CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), how to stop bleeding and how to pack a basic first-aid kit for travelling, to name only a few. Unfortunately, most infographics are currently available only in Thai. For more infographics by the National Institute for Emergency Medicine, visit www.niems.go.th.