8 safety instructions for winter travellers

Lapland Rescue Department has created safety instructions to everyone visiting Lapland during winter. You can find tips and practical information from the links below and from this video.

We wish you a safe holiday in Lapland!

The weather is cold and crispy in Rovaniemi! Keep yourself warm during these frosty days by wearing layers of winter clothes in Rovaniemi:

• Middle Layer is a set of clothes: fleece, another woollen layer or other warm pair of clothes.

• Extra clothing is important, if it is very cold. You can wear or take with you another thicker jacket or extra pair of mittens and scarf. You can wear this layer during the tour or activity, for example when you stay still a longer time.

• For shoes wear warm winter boots with woolen socks. Always have some room to wiggle your toes. Use footwear with good traction or separate ice cleats.

Stay safe on your holiday and read our Q&A about ice.

Find ice activities in Lapland:

• Ice cool adventures
• Icebreaker cruise and swimming in icy Arctic waters
• Rovaniemi snow and ice

• If your car breaks down or you drive off the road, call to towing service. Emergency number 112 is only for real emergencies.

Rovaniemi city centre has quite a lot of traffic, cars, buses and other vehicles. Everyone should follow the common traffic rules.

• Walk only on pedestrian streets.
• Don’t cross the street dangerously, as cars can’t break quickly on an icy road. Following the traffic rules is important for your own safety.
• Don’t cross the street with a sled! Cars won’t see you.
• Use reflective clothing or separate reflectors that you can attach to your clothing for visibility on dark hours. This is a popular Finnish way to stay safe.
• Walk safely on icy surfaces: wear footwear that has good traction or use ice cleats. Take shorter steps at slower pace. Don’t rush.

Everyone loves sledding from travellers to locals. It is however very important to find the correct places for sledding, as sledding to thin ice or traffic can be life threatening. Here’s a few TIPS for more safe and fun holiday!

• Don’t pull the sledge on the road. Cars won’t see you!
• Find dedicated places for sledding (for example Rovaniemi Old Market Square)
• Don’t do sledding in places, where there’s traffic. Cars won’t see you!
• Don’t go sledding on ski tracks. Speed of the skiers is fast and they wont see you.
• Have fun while staying safe!

In case of emergency or sickness, contact local heath care.

In less severe symptoms, that is health problems that do not require emergency treatment, such as normal colds and their complications, prolonged back pain and diarrhea, travelers are advised to turn to the Private health centres in Rovaniemi:

• Terveystalo in shopping centre Revontulikeskus: emergency services for travellers, phone: +358 30 6338650 and +358 900 30000 (24h)
• Pihlajalinna in shopping centre Revontulikeskus, phone: +358 10312010 (24h)
• Mehiläinen in Lampelankatu 6, phone: +358 1041400 (24h)

The Emergency Room (ER) in Lapland Central Hospital handles medical emergencies – that is treatment of illnesses and accidents of patients requiring IMMEDIATE assistance – around the clock. In case of primary healthcare emergency, call: 116 117 (without country code!) before going to the ER.

In case of urgent emergency, call the emergency number 112.

Printable version about the health care for travellers below.

In big crowds or busy events, be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables safe. Your phone stays warmer (and safer!) in the inside pocket of your jacket. If you lose something, contact Rovaniemi Police Department:

• Lost property: +358 295 416941
  Mon–Wed 8.00–15.00
• Other Police matters: +358 295 466250