Gas Alarm in Krakow: What I Learned the Hard Way

Gas Alarm in Krakow: What I Learned the Hard Way

This is not a nightlife guide. It is a “please do not learn this while half-awake in an apartment bathroom” guide.

If a gas or carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave immediately, get to fresh air, and call emergency services. In Poland, the general emergency number is 112.

The Alarm

I wake up at 2 PM to some kind of strange alarm. It wasn't a fire alarm, as the beeps were infrequent. Like BEEP!...............BEEP! Instead of the fire alarm which is BEEP BEEP BEEP! Also, there was no smoke, and my girlfriend wasn't cooking (haha). But the alarm was loud enough that I thought it needed investigating.

The sound was coming from the bathroom. I checked from the doorway, saw the alarm text in Polish, translated it, and the message was clear: get into fresh air.

The Escape

I immediately clicked as to what was wrong and got everyone out of the apartment. No shower, no cleaning, no “just one minute.” Fresh air first. Professionals second. Your stuff can wait.

Emergency Services: A Language Barrier Adventure

We called emergency services. If you are a visitor and do not know which specialist number to call, use 112. It is the general emergency number and the safest starting point when you need urgent help.

We explained the situation, and they sent firefighters.

The Firefighters Arrive

We could soon hear a siren getting closer and closer. Fast response. We stayed outside, which is exactly where you should stay until emergency services say otherwise.

The firefighters came, and they were actually rather nice. "Dzień dobry. Mówisz po angielsku?" (Good day. Do you speak English?) "Nie mówię po angielsku. My z Poland." (I don't speak Enlgish. We're from Poland.) But he said this with a kind smile. Then the other fireman said we can talk in English, it's fine. What a top bloke.

Problem Solved... Sort Of

They went in, checked the issue, and handled it. Thank goodness for the alarm.

Words of Wisdom

Anyway, thought I would share some wisdom, and I hope you enjoyed the funny parts of this very hungover day. And remember:

1. If your accommodation has gas appliances, check that alarms are present.

2. If an alarm goes off, leave immediately, get to fresh air, and call 112.

3. Do not go back inside until emergency services say it is safe.

Stay safe, and enjoy your Polish adventures. For actual nightlife planning, use the Krakow Animals Crawl page. For emergencies, use 112.