Warning Sirens in the Netherlands

Every first Monday of the month at noon, you will hear warning sirens sounding across the whole Netherlands. Their practice alarm lasts just over a minute, but it is part of the Netherlands national warning system in place since WWII.

Although worrisome for many expats, the monthly practice alarm (called waarschuwingsstelsel in Dutch) is no cause for concern.

The siren alarm system was set up in response to the threat of attack from Germany during WWII. The system was kept in running order after WWII because of the Cold War, and is still kept to alert the public in case of a large fire or environmental disaster, for example.

 

What if the sirens sound and it is not a test?

If the sirens sound on any other day of the month, or if it is the first Monday of the month, but not noon, then you should take action in response to the alert.

Here is what you should do in such an event:

• If you are outside working, shopping, etc., seek shelter as soon as possible inside a shop, business, or knock on people’s doors.
• If you are in your car, position your car so it is out of the way for emergency services, stop the engine and seek shelter inside. If shelter is not possible, for example on the highway, then remain inside your car, close all windows, ventilation and turn off air conditioning.
• If you are at home, close windows, doors and other ventilation sources. Offer those outside the opportunity to hide with you.
• If your children are at school, the school will take care of them, keeping them inside and safe.
• Do not make phone calls unless absolutely necessary.

To find out the cause of the alarm sirens listen to regional radio, and in the case of a national emergency, NPO Radio 1, or watch NPO1 (Nederland 1) on TV. The government and emergency services will provide more information regarding what is going on and what you need to do via this outlets.

You can also register your phone with the NL Alert service, and in the case of an emergency you will receive a SMS with details of what is happening and what to do.