4 tips for a safe holiday in Levi
These tips will help you stay safe during your winter holidays in Lapland!
Here are the essential guidelines for a successful and safe visit. Enjoy your holiday in Levi.
1 – Prepare for winter conditions in Lapland
Distance and time: Lapland is a very large area, so it can take the emergency services longer to get to you than you might expect. That is why foresight and personal safety awareness are important.
Snow and slippery conditions: The ground is usually slippery. Beware of the slippery conditions whenever you are outdoors.
Frost and wind: The cold can be dangerous if you are not dressed for it. Always wear warm clothes. Make sure your children also have warm clothing. The wind makes it feel colder. Even at temperatures just below zero, wind can quickly cause frostbite.
Waterways and ice: Bodies of water may appear to be frozen solid, but the ice is often thin, especially near towns. Do not go on the ice unless it is a marked route and you are with a guide. Footprints do not necessarily mean the ice is strong enough.
Length of day and light: The sun is not up for long in the winter – just a couple of hours of dim light each day. Keep this in mind when you plan trips. When walking in the dark, you can greatly improve your safety by using a reflector and a headlamp.
2 – Also consider safety when staying here
Fire safety: If you stay in private accommodation (Airbnb, booking.com, etc.), you and the host should ensure the accommodation is safe. At the very least, check with the host that the smoke alarm works.
Sauna: Read the instructions or ask the host how to use the sauna safely. Never use a sauna to dry clothes or other items!
Fireplace: Ask the host how to use the fireplace safely.
3 – Getting around, use only marked and permitted routes
Sledding: Only use your sled in safe places. Do not use sled on roads or on parking spaces. When sledding, be careful of other people and other possible obstacles.
Walking: Walk only on designated and marked walking routes. Avoid walking on roads and in people's yards. Do not walk on roundabouts, ski trails and snowmobile trails.
Skiing: Cross-country skiing tracks are only intended for people on skis. Do not walk or sledge on crosscountry skiing tracks. You can spot a cross-country skiing track by the two parallel lines in the snow – and skiers! Map apps may not distinguish between cross-country skiing tracks and other paths.
Snowmobiling: Ride only on marked snowmobile trails! If you have not used a snowmobile before, it is a good idea to start with a guided tour. When you have more experience, you can rent a snowmobile and plan your own trips.
By car: Be patient in traffic, obey speed limits and be aware of crowds in high season. Watch out for large groups of tourists and families with children on sledges in the centre of Levi.
When driving, ensure good visibility. Do not circulate the air inside the car – it will steam up the windows. If the windows are frozen, scrape the ice off before you drive anywhere. Have plenty of warm clothing with you when you travel by car – if you break down or have an accident, it may take time for help to arrive.
Reindeer and Auroras: Make sure you are in a safe place if you want to take photos of reindeer or the northern lights. Do not stop your car in the middle of the road, and don't take photos in the middle of the road!
4 – In case of emergency, call for help
In an emergency, call the emergency number, 112. We also recommend installing the 112 Suomi app on your phone. The app will help to locate you more quickly in an emergency.
Primary source: Pelastustoimi
