Living Essentials As an expat or international in the Leiden region, there are several things you need to know. What makes life here different to where you come from? You will probably have loads of questions about housing, the healthcare system, your driving licence, and so on. If you have children and a job, you will want to arrange childcare facilities. But how will you get your kids there? By bike, car or public transportation? As you will discover, the start of your stay can be a bit of a challenge... This booklet provides you with essential information on living, working, education and social life in the Netherlands.
Essential Numbers The most important number to remember in case of an emergency is 112 (It would be wise to save this in your mobile phone). This number can be called for free in any kind of serious emergency (to request the police, fire service or an ambulance) and they will be able to help you in English.
• • • • •
Police, Ambulance, Fire (Emergency) 112 National Police (non-emergency) Outage Gas, Electricity Sea Rescue / Coast Guard (Kustwacht) Breakdown Service (Car) (ANWB)* * This may require a subscription.
0900 8844 0800 9009 0900 0111 088 2692 888
On the first Monday of every month at 12:00 noon emergency sirens are tested nationwide. Do not be alarmed. In the event of hearing the emergency siren at any other time, turn on your television or radio and tune in to a local station for further information.
Rampeninstru
ctie_11ENG
What to do
in case of an
longe Then stay close r see through the smok e? • Are you unabl to the ground. e Stand at a windoto leave the building any more? w where the see you. fire brigade can • Never go back inside a burning buildi ng.
Terrorist atta
ck
• Go to an open place away • Give mobil from large buildi e telephone ngs. or other photo have taken s that you to • Don’t go to the police. look at the scene of the attack .
Traffic accid
ent
• Are you drivin g the tunnel by in a tunnel? Leave your car and leave • Do not cross the nearest escape route . the motorway • Leave the unnecessarily. hard shoulder free for the the police and fire brigade, ambulances .
Epidemic
• Always use paper tissue s and throw immediately them away after use. • Wash your hands frequ ently. • Stay at home if you have a contagious diseas e. Dang
er of building
collapse • Stay close to the groun d, shelter under furniture or heavy a door frame , sit still head and neck with your arms. and protect your • Do not use lifts. • If you are covered by rubbl e, lie as and try to make noises on pipes still as possible if there is no or ducts. alternative. Only shout Civil disorder
• If people panic during an event against the direct , do not try to ion of the go • Stay calm and follow the crowd. instructions authorities. of the • Do not go to the scene of the disord er.
Extreme wea
ther condition
In case of extrem s • Do not take e weather conditions: to the road or the water if or if a weath advised not er to • If you absolu warning has been issued . tely must go outdoors, take food, water, blankets and sufficient In the event warm clothe of a heat wave s with you. : • Drink two litres • Remain indoo of water daily. rs between 12 am and 4 pm.
Living Essentials
8
emergency.
You cannot plan for emer gencies. But an emergency you can make . More infor preparation mation abou s. This list tells t possible disas you
A helpful list
.
what to do ters and what • Can you hear in the event you can do of is to be found the siren? Go at www.crisis indoors and • Tune in to .nl. close the doors the emergenc y transmitte and windows. • Look at www r on your batte .crisis.nl for ry-powered radio more informatio • Follow the or television instructions n. . of the autho • Do not pick rities and emer up your child gency services. ren from schoo • Help other l; the school s as much as administration possible. • Don’t overl will take care oad the lines of them. by making unne cessary phon e calls, even if the telephone Large fire is still working. • Can you no
If the electricity , gas, water is cut off or telep
hone
• Listen to the emergency transm portable radio. itter on your • Is the teleph one lines by makin still functioning? Don’t overload the • Is the electr g unnecessary phone calls. icity your municipalitystill working? Check the website of or www.crisis. nl.
Flooding
• Is it likely that the water will reach your Switch off the house? gas and electr • Prepare a rescue kit (batte icity. ry-powered torch, batte radio, ries, food and water medicines, important documpocket ents, • If you canno , clothing and blankets). t escap emergency transm e: listen to the region al itter on your portable radio.
Nuclear disas
ter
• Remain indoo rs and windows or go indoors and close doors and everything ventilation, such as air extrac that can be used for and wall and tors, ventilator ducts • Do not use toilet gratings. or drink tap water or rainw leaved veget ater ables or food • Keep pets that is difficult or greenindoors and to clean. do not animals that have been outsid touch people or e.
Chemical eme
rgen
cy • Remain indoo rs and windows or go indoors and close doors and everything ventilation, such as air extrac that can be used for and wall and tors, ventilator toilet gratin ducts • Listen to the gs. emergency transm www.crisis.n itter and look l. at • Go to a room that there is no draug can be sealed off well where house or buildi ht, preferably in the centre of the • Are you outdo ng. ors? Walk into over your nose the wind with and mouth. a cloth
