Keeping Easter church services safe: State Emergency Service issues guidelines

As thousands of Ukrainians are expected to gather in churches over the Easter holidays, the State Emergency Service is urging the public to take personal safety precautions in advance – starting with identifying the nearest shelter.

This message was delivered by Roman Tsyren, Head of the Emergency Prevention Department at the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine.

“The State Emergency Service advises everyone to locate, in advance, the nearest shelter to the place of worship they plan to visit. Many churches have basements, which can serve as basic shelters. It is important to orient yourself beforehand, especially since many families with children will be attending services. Personal responsibility is essential to ensure that people stay safe,” Tsyren emphasized.

He also noted that religious buildings present unique safety challenges, particularly due to the frequent use of open flames during services, which increases the risk of fire. As a result, the clergy have been given safety instructions on handling fire properly during worship.

“Religious sites have their own particularities. Open flames are used, and candles are lit as a symbol of light and goodwill. However, candles are also a fire hazard. We have discussed with church leaders how to safely place candlesticks, ensuring they are positioned at least one meter away from any flammable materials as a preventive measure,” the SES official explained.

Event organization is another priority. Given the limited space in many churches, preventing overcrowding is critical to avoiding injuries from potential stampedes.

“We’ve also spoken with clergy about maintaining proper crowd control inside church buildings. Overcrowding could lead to a stampede. Therefore, they should monitor the number of people entering and ensure an orderly flow so that attendees can bring in their Easter baskets and other items for blessing safely,” Tsyren added

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news