People have been urged to continue adhering to official warnings, including sirens, while also being aware of the dangers of collective fatigue.
Hidd Police Station head Colonel Dr Osama Bahar yesterday reminded everyone that these instructions are in place for people’s own safety and well-being.
Speaking on the Interior Ministry’s Al Aman social media programme, Col Dr Bahar warned against ignoring these instructions just because other people have been doing the same.
“In psychology and sociology, they have more than one term to convey decreased societal sensitivity,” he said.
“This indicates a decline in human reaction to a particular problem which, in simple terms, is getting used to the issue.
“It is called emotional numbness or empathy fatigue, and sociologists and psychologists have discussed it extensively.
“What matters to us in Bahrain is your safety first and foremost, and these warnings are for your own well-being.”
The siren alerts are official public safety warnings activated by the Interior Ministry during potential security threats, aerial hazards or regional emergencies. They are paired with mobile phone notifications to instruct residents to seek immediate shelter.
People are being asked to never ignore a siren alert because it signals an immediate, real-time threat to their lives, such as incoming aerial attacks, missile strikes or drone interceptions. Ignoring the warning significantly increases the risk of severe injury or worse.
Even if a threat is successfully intercepted by air defence systems, heavy metal fragments and explosive debris fall rapidly over a wide area. Remaining outdoors or near windows leaves people completely exposed.
Sirens give citizens and residents a narrow window of time to reach reinforced shelter before a potential strike occurs.
On-the-ground impacts can trigger fires, structural collapses or secondary blasts that endanger anyone in the immediate vicinity.
Therefore, Col Dr Bahar urged people to avoid ignoring these sirens and to immediately seek shelter in a safe place.
“The country wants you to always be safe,” he said.
“So if you hear the alert on your phone, do not go outside.
“If you hear the sound of interceptions, pray for the heroes of the Royal Air Defence Force.
“Stay in a safe place, and do not go to the rooftop of any exposed area for your own safety.”
The GDN reported in March that emergency services were urging people to stay safe when the emergency sirens sound and to avoid going outside or climbing onto rooftops to watch the interception action.
Col Dr Bahar urged families in emergency situations to prioritise their safety until the ‘All Clear’ signal is given as going outside could potentially result in them being hit by shrapnel.
He saluted the courage and dedication of the kingdom’s soldiers who are putting their lives on the line to protect the people of Bahrain.
The Interior Ministry recommends that people do not touch or move shrapnel and to instead immediately call 999.
There are two primary types of emergency warning siren alerts used in Bahrain to signal different actions.
A long and stable sound indicates that people must immediately take cover, stay indoors or seek shelter.
Meanwhile, a fading sound that gradually stops indicates the ‘All Clear’ which means that the threat is over, although people should still remain alert.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))