Civil unrest — including protests that turn violent, riots, and widespread looting — can erupt rapidly and spread faster than official responses can contain. Unlike many disasters, civil unrest is intensely localised and unpredictable; it can engulf a single street while a block away everything is calm, and it can move across a city in hours. Understanding how civil unrest behaves, when to act, and how to protect yourself and your home are the core survival skills.
Most deaths during civil unrest are not caused by deliberate targeting — they are caused by crush injuries in crowds, looting-related fires, being caught in crossfire between security forces and rioters, or being in the wrong place when violence escalates unexpectedly.
Understanding the Stages of Civil Unrest
Civil unrest typically escalates through recognisable stages. Recognising which stage you are in guides your response:
| Stage | Characteristics | Your Response |
|---|
| Tension | Protests, demonstrations, political grievances; no violence | Monitor situation; avoid protest areas |
| Escalation | Clashes between groups; property damage; tear gas deployment | Stay indoors; leave the area if possible |
| Active unrest | Widespread looting; fires; street violence; police unable to contain | Shelter in place or evacuate if safe route exists |
| Containment | Security forces restoring order; curfews; checkpoints | Follow all official instructions; check in with authorities |
| Recovery | Unrest subsided but tensions remain; sporadic incidents possible | Remain cautious; follow official guidance before resuming normal activity |
Before Civil Unrest Reaches Your Area
Home Preparation
- Board ground-floor windows using plywood if riots are expected — this protects against break-in and brick/bottle impact.
- Secure entry points — reinforce door frames, use deadbolts, secure sliding doors.
- Remove valuables and electronics from visible street-level windows.
- Fill vehicles with fuel — fuel stations close or run out quickly during civil unrest.
- Withdraw cash — banks and ATMs close.
- Stock at least a 3-day supply of food, water, and medications.
- Have a go-bag ready in case you need to leave quickly.
Know Your Area
- Identify the nearest areas likely to be targeted (banks, shops, government buildings, police stations) and assess your proximity.
- Know two evacuation routes from your home.
- Establish contact with neighbours — coordinated community response is far more effective than individual action.
If You Are Caught in a Crowd or Riot
Crowd Safety Basics
- Do not go toward the unrest. The most effective safety decision is the one you make before you are in the crowd.
- If you find yourself in a crowd that is becoming agitated or threatening, begin moving toward the edges immediately.
- Move diagonally through a crowd toward the edge — moving directly against the flow is nearly impossible and exhausting.
- Stay on your feet at all costs — a fall in a dense, moving crowd is often fatal from trampling. If you fall, get up immediately.
- Protect your chest — lock arms across your chest to create breathing space; rib cage compression in crush injuries is the primary cause of death.
- Move with the crowd when it surges — fighting a surge directly is futile and dangerous. Move at a slight angle to gradually reach the edge.
⚠️ Crowd crushes are silent killers. People can suffocate in a standing position without being knocked down. Warning signs: you can feel pressure from multiple sides, you cannot lift your feet off the ground, you cannot draw a full breath. Act immediately to move to the edge if you notice these signs.
Tear Gas and Crowd Control Agents
If deployed in your area:
- Move away from the source — upwind and uphill if possible (gas is heavier than air).
- Do not rub your eyes — this spreads the agent.
- Flush eyes with large amounts of water; blink frequently.
- Remove contaminated clothing as soon as possible.
- An N95 mask reduces — but does not eliminate — inhalation exposure.
Projectiles and Violence
- If violence erupts, take cover immediately — behind a wall, a vehicle, or into a building.
- Lie flat if shooting starts — do not run upright through an open area.
- Do not confront people involved in violence — even verbal confrontation escalates rapidly.
Sheltering in Place During Looting
If looting is occurring in your area and leaving is not safe:
- Stay away from windows — bricks, bottles, and projectiles are common.
- Turn off lights visible from the street — a lit interior signals occupancy and may attract attention.
- Do not engage looters — confrontation is high-risk. Property can be replaced; your safety cannot.
- Call emergency services — even if response is slow, calls are documented and may support later claims.
- Stay quiet — sound and movement attract attention.
- Have an exit plan — if the building catches fire (fires spread rapidly during looting), you must be able to leave quickly.
⚠️ Looting-related fires are one of the most dangerous secondary hazards of civil unrest. Fires spread between buildings rapidly. If your building catches fire, evacuate immediately — even into unrest.
Protecting Your Business or Property
If you have a business or property at risk:
- The single most effective protection is removing valuable stock and electronics before the unrest reaches your area.
- Do not physically confront looters — this escalates to violence.
- Visible presence of community members (not weapons) can deter opportunistic looting.
- Document damage with video and photographs immediately after — essential for insurance.
- Board up windows and doors in advance of expected unrest — this is not foolproof but deters opportunistic looting.
If You Must Move Through Unrest
- Wear plain, neutral-coloured clothing — avoid anything that could be associated with either side of the conflict.
- Remove any symbols, flags, or political indicators.
- Move confidently but not aggressively — purposeful movement suggests you belong; hesitation attracts attention.
- Avoid groups of armed individuals regardless of what uniform or colours they wear.
- Move along the perimeter of an area, not through the centre.
- If stopped, remain calm, cooperative, and non-confrontational.
After Civil Unrest
- Wait for official all-clear before returning to normal movement.
- Document all damage to your property (photographs, video) before beginning any cleanup.
- Do not touch or move suspicious packages or items left behind — call authorities.
- Be cautious of residual tension — unrest can reignite.
- Support community rebuilding efforts — restoration of community relations reduces the risk of recurrence.
Quick Reference — Civil Unrest & Looting
| Situation | Action |
|---|
| Unrest developing in your area | Board windows, stock supplies, plan evacuation route |
| Caught in agitated crowd | Move diagonally to the edge; stay on feet; protect chest |
| Tear gas deployed | Move upwind; flush eyes; do not rub |
| Shooting starts | Take cover immediately; stay flat; do not run upright |
| Looting near your building | Turn off visible lights; stay quiet; away from windows; do not confront |
| Fire in building during unrest | Evacuate immediately — even into unrest is safer than fire |
| After unrest | Document damage; wait for official clearance; watch for recurrence |
This guide is for general preparedness education. Civil unrest situations are extremely variable and unpredictable. Always follow instructions from local authorities. Do not place yourself in danger to protect property.