This page contains useful safety tips for your trip to guarantee that your holiday in Suomussalmi is as pleasant as possible.
In Finland, the mobile application 112 is used for emergencies and can be downloaded by tourists from abroad. When you call the Emergency Response Centre via the 112 app, the emergency response duty official will automatically receive information about your location, which will help the rescue services to find you.
Hike safely
When setting off on a hike, check in advance the condition of the route, the level of difficulty and the services available along the route. Inform someone outside your group of your route plan.
Be prepared for the hike in weather-appropriate clothing, preferably in layers. Drinks, rain gear, a small first aid kit and some kind of light should always be carried.
Prepare for winter conditions
When hiking in winter, you should be prepared with snowshoes or other equipment that makes it easier to walk in the snow, as well as clothing appropriate for the weather.
Watch out for weak ice. The strength of the ice can vary a lot, even over a short distance, depending, for example, on currents and the quality of the bottom of the lake. For this reason, you need to ensure that the ice is strong enough to cover the whole area where you are going to move. When moving on the ice, it is a good idea to carry ice claws with you.
Pay attention to the weather and reindeer
Find out the weather conditions beforehand and allow enough time for the journey, including breaks. Remember that distances between services are longer in the north. Refuel in good time and ensure that you have some fuel in the tank at all times.
Check the weather forecast in advance for any warnings of slippery conditions, strong winds and forest fire warnings. If a severe storm is forecast, be prepared for water and power cuts.
Winter tyres are needed at Suomussalmi altitude from October to May on average.
The reindeer husbandry area starts around Yli-Kiiminki when coming from Oulu, and Hyrynsalmi when coming from southern Finland. It can be difficult to distinguish reindeer from the terrain, so adjust your driving speed to the conditions. If you crash into a reindeer, call 112 (preferably using the 112 app) and take action to prevent further accidents if possible.
During a grass fire or forest fire warning, fires are also prohibited in most maintained and marked fire areas. During a grass or forest fire alert, fires are only allowed in chimneyed, covered fireplaces and in fireplaces in deserted houses and cottages with special care. It is always the responsibility of the one lighting the fire to ensure the safety of the it. Please note that fires may also be prohibited on a site-by-site basis.
Injury or illness
The health centre is located in the centre of Suomussalmi. Outside opening hours, the on-call service is provided by the Kainuu Central Hospital’s joint on-call service.
If you have insurance that covers treatments and examinations, make use of private healthcare services where possible. In Suomussalmi, private healthcare services are provided by Pihlajalinna.
Suomussalmi Pharmacy is located in the centre of Suomussalmi. In Piispajärvi there is a service point of Suomussalmi Pharmacy, where you can buy the most common self-care medicines and dressings.