Swiss Passport

What should you do when the alarm sirens sound in a real emergency?

Was soll man tun, wenn die Alarm-Sirenen im Ernstfall heulen?

Correct answer: B

  1. A go homenach Hause gehen
  2. B listen to the radioRadio hören
  3. C switch off the televisionden Fernseher abstellen
  4. D go to the central square of the municipalityzum zentralen Platz der Gemeinde gehen

Why

The sirens warn of danger. Instructions on what to do come via the radio and the Alertswiss app.

Common mistakes

A: go home
Not everyone should simply go home. The authorities say on the radio what is right.
D: go to the central square of the municipality
Going to the village square can be dangerous. First you must listen to the instructions on the radio.

Topic

Emergency numbers and sirens

In an emergency, you must quickly dial the right number. 117 is the police emergency number. 118 is the fire service. 144 is the ambulance service, in other words emergency medical services with an ambulance. The European emergency number 112 also works. Rega, the helicopter rescue service, can be reached on 1414. Emergency numbers are free of charge.

Living in Switzerland
School and everyday life

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 312 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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