Tips for safe nature exploration
Nature is home to various animals and we should treat it with respect. Animals rarely attack people unless they feel threatened.
If you happen to come across wild animals, stay calm and slowly move away.
Do not attack or disturb animals, do not destroy nests and burrows and do not leave behind garbage and food scraps.
Warm spring days increase risk of encountering snakes and ticks, which are more active in spring and early summer, and somewhat less in autumn. To make your stay in nature as pleasant as possible and without unwanted consequences, please read the following precautions.
Ticks
- Wear appropriate clothes and shoes, i.e., long-sleeved shirts and pants and closed shoes
- Keep to marked paths
- Upon returning from nature, take off all your clothes, wash them or shake them out well, and examine your entire body
Snakes
- While walking, look ahead, inspect your resting place carefully, and do not touch inaccessible places with your hands, especially not with your bare hands.
- If you encounter a snake, do not panic or try to catch it. Walk around it slowly or scare it off by stomping or hitting the ground with a stick, and then let it move away on its own.
- A snake only attacks humans when feeling threatened.
Due to fire risk, it is FORBIDDEN to:
Throw cigarette butts outside
Grill in an open space
Light an open fire
Do not put yourself in danger or make it difficult for firefighters to extinguish a fire by approaching the scene of the fire to observe, photograph and/or film the fire and the extinguishing process.
The use of drones in the area of operation of firefighting aircraft directly endangers the safety of air and ground forces. Pilot crews will suspend flight operations immediately upon sighting a drone in the area of their activities. This will make it more difficult to prevent the spread of the fire and endanger people's lives.
Croatia is proud of its pristine nature, forests and national parks. While staying in Croatia, we expect you to contribute to the nature preservation and protection.
If you discover a fire, call the firefighters at 193 or the 112 Centre.
What to do in case of a snake bite
- Remain calm and stay still in order to prevent venom from spreading throughout your body and call help.
- Remove clothes, shoes and jewellery before swelling starts. Clean the bite with water, cover it with a sterile gauze and bandage and immobilise the area in case of a bone fracture. Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom. Do not use antivenom.
- The bitten person should be transported to the nearest health facility as soon as possible.
What to do in case of fire
- If you notice a fire, call firefighters at 193 or 112 Centre immediately.
- Remain calm during the phone call, talk clearly and provide the following information:
- Location of the fire or incident - state the address.
- Type of accident - try to briefly describe the incident. What happened, what's burning, which floor, was there an explosion…
- Special circumstances - are there any injured or endangered persons? Are there any imminent dangers (explosion, building collapse etc)?
- Introduce yourself!
- Remember to keep your tip as clear and brief as possible.