Chile: Safety and Security Specifics
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Police: 133
Fire: 132
Ambulance: 131
International SOS: +1 215 942 8226
Police: 133
Fire: 132
Ambulance: 131
International SOS: +1 215 942 8226
Crime
Most foreigners visit Chile without incident. The security environment is generally safe and comparatively Chile has a lower incidence of violent crime than other Latin American countries. Nevertheless, pickpocketing and petty crime do occur especially in touristy areas and places like bus stations, internet cafes, coffee shops, malls and subway stations.
RISK MITIGATION: Be aware of your surroundings and of your property (e.g. wear your purse/backpack in front or cross-body, do not walk while looking at your cell phone or wearing headphones, avoid overt displays of wealth like flashy jewelry, etc.) at all times. In Santiago, pickpocketing and petty crime tend to occur in areas in the Centro/downtown such as Paseo Ahumada and Paseo Huérfanos (both pedestrian malls/walkways), the Mercado Central area, Cerro Santa Lucía and at Cerro San Cristóbal and Bellavista. Property theft also occurs elsewhere at restaurants and places like Starbucks, where people may leave their bag unattended or even next to them on a chair. Many restaurants and cafés have hooks on the chair or table to which you can attach your backpack or purse. Waiters and staff many times will point them out. Many pickpockets and thieves are crafty; some work in pairs or groups and use distraction techniques like bumping into you, spilling food or drink on you, etc.
RISK MITIGATION: Be aware of your surroundings and of your property (e.g. wear your purse/backpack in front or cross-body, do not walk while looking at your cell phone or wearing headphones, avoid overt displays of wealth like flashy jewelry, etc.) at all times. In Santiago, pickpocketing and petty crime tend to occur in areas in the Centro/downtown such as Paseo Ahumada and Paseo Huérfanos (both pedestrian malls/walkways), the Mercado Central area, Cerro Santa Lucía and at Cerro San Cristóbal and Bellavista. Property theft also occurs elsewhere at restaurants and places like Starbucks, where people may leave their bag unattended or even next to them on a chair. Many restaurants and cafés have hooks on the chair or table to which you can attach your backpack or purse. Waiters and staff many times will point them out. Many pickpockets and thieves are crafty; some work in pairs or groups and use distraction techniques like bumping into you, spilling food or drink on you, etc.
Demonstrations and Protests/Civil Unrest
Demonstrations and strikes occur frequently. Although most are peaceful and organized (e.g. pre-approved routes, day/time announcements), they can cause significant travel delays and sometimes can become violent. Police can and will use crowd control methods such as water cannons and tear gas.
RISK MITIGATION: Avoid the vicinity of planned demonstrations and strikes if and when possible. Keep up with current events - read newspapers, be aware of your surroundings and of current events, sign up for alerts through ISOS.
RISK MITIGATION: Avoid the vicinity of planned demonstrations and strikes if and when possible. Keep up with current events - read newspapers, be aware of your surroundings and of current events, sign up for alerts through ISOS.
Natural Disasters
Chile's location and geography is unique. However, its features pose natural disaster threats such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, wildfires, floods and mud/landslides. Stringent building codes have been in place for years in Santiago and other major cities, which greatly help minimize earthquake damage, and national alert systems and websites such as ONEMI (Oficina Nacional de Emergencia del Ministerio del Interior y Seguridad Pública) provide warnings and information on emergency preparedness.
RISK MITIGATION: Follow @onemichile on Twitter for up-to-date information and alerts. Create an emergency kit. Make sure to register with the U.S. State Department's STEP service to 1) receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans; 2) help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency; and 3) help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact your home country's embassy for information on similar programs and services.
RISK MITIGATION: Follow @onemichile on Twitter for up-to-date information and alerts. Create an emergency kit. Make sure to register with the U.S. State Department's STEP service to 1) receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans; 2) help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency; and 3) help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact your home country's embassy for information on similar programs and services.
Heating Device Safety
Many older apartments and houses in Chile use a device called a calefont or calefón to heat up water as it passes through pipes. A calefont can be tricky to use and can be dangerous if located in the bathroom or any small, poorly-ventilated space. Below are some tips on how to use the calefont if you have one in your apartment or house.
How does a calefont work?
The calefont uses lines of burners with many small flames that heat up water as it passes over them through pipes. The flames are fed by gas which comes through the mains or sometimes from 15kg cylinders of gas that need to be purchased. When you turn the hot water tap on, a pilot light ignites the burners and heats up the water right then when you need it.
How do you light a calefont?
First turn the gas valve below the calefont so that the gas can start flowing. Next, turn the dial near the bottom of the calefont to the encendido (ON) position. Then, stick a match through the hole in the middle of the calefont until it ignites the pilot light. Once the small pilot light flame is burning, you are basically set. The main flames that heat the water won’t appear until the taps are turned on and water has started flowing though the pipes. It may take anywhere from 10 seconds to a couple of minutes for the hot water to start coming through.
Is the apartment/house/hotel safe?
Many older apartments and houses use the calefont system to heat their water. Before moving into a new apartment, check that the gas installations of the building have been approved, which means that the calefonts have adequate escape ducts for the fumes, etc. You will know if the building has been approved if there is a large green OK sticker near the front entrance.
What about free-standing heaters that use gas?
Many Chileans use free-standing heaters, or estufas, to help them keep warm during the winter. They might have one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Estufas can be electric, or use gas, kerosene (parafina), or infrared technology. Many modern apartment buildings have electric heaters built into the walls, which are easy to operate. If you come across estufas a gas or a parafina, you will need to make sure that the space is well-ventilated. Manufacturers of these devices suggest cracking open a window or opening a door. If you do not feel comfortable dealing with these types of heaters, please contact someone to help or do it for you such as a host family member or the building’s front-desk person and/or custodian, called a conserje.
SAFETY MEASURES
If your apartment/house/hotel room has a calefont in the bathroom, ALWAYS leave the door open or open a window. In a small space like a bathroom (where most people close the door), the gases from the flames don’t have anywhere to escape. Even though some older buildings have been approved, serious problems can still arise. Unfortunately, there have been cases in which people have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning while showering in a calefont-equipped bathroom with no ventilation. Wherever there is a calefont or gas or kerosene heater, make sure the area is well-ventilated.
This information is not meant to scare you, but rather to make you aware of the safety issues and protocol you need to follow if there is a calefont in the bathroom. If you are unsure about how to work a calefont, ask a Chilean friend, host family member or coworker for help. Always turn off the calefont and any heaters (estufas) that use gas when you’re done with them.
Do not hesitate to contact the Program Manager with any questions. For best practices, information on how to use these devices and what to do if you detect a strong gas odor visit the Chilean Ministerio de Energía's Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles website.
How does a calefont work?
The calefont uses lines of burners with many small flames that heat up water as it passes over them through pipes. The flames are fed by gas which comes through the mains or sometimes from 15kg cylinders of gas that need to be purchased. When you turn the hot water tap on, a pilot light ignites the burners and heats up the water right then when you need it.
How do you light a calefont?
First turn the gas valve below the calefont so that the gas can start flowing. Next, turn the dial near the bottom of the calefont to the encendido (ON) position. Then, stick a match through the hole in the middle of the calefont until it ignites the pilot light. Once the small pilot light flame is burning, you are basically set. The main flames that heat the water won’t appear until the taps are turned on and water has started flowing though the pipes. It may take anywhere from 10 seconds to a couple of minutes for the hot water to start coming through.
Is the apartment/house/hotel safe?
Many older apartments and houses use the calefont system to heat their water. Before moving into a new apartment, check that the gas installations of the building have been approved, which means that the calefonts have adequate escape ducts for the fumes, etc. You will know if the building has been approved if there is a large green OK sticker near the front entrance.
What about free-standing heaters that use gas?
Many Chileans use free-standing heaters, or estufas, to help them keep warm during the winter. They might have one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Estufas can be electric, or use gas, kerosene (parafina), or infrared technology. Many modern apartment buildings have electric heaters built into the walls, which are easy to operate. If you come across estufas a gas or a parafina, you will need to make sure that the space is well-ventilated. Manufacturers of these devices suggest cracking open a window or opening a door. If you do not feel comfortable dealing with these types of heaters, please contact someone to help or do it for you such as a host family member or the building’s front-desk person and/or custodian, called a conserje.
SAFETY MEASURES
If your apartment/house/hotel room has a calefont in the bathroom, ALWAYS leave the door open or open a window. In a small space like a bathroom (where most people close the door), the gases from the flames don’t have anywhere to escape. Even though some older buildings have been approved, serious problems can still arise. Unfortunately, there have been cases in which people have died due to carbon monoxide poisoning while showering in a calefont-equipped bathroom with no ventilation. Wherever there is a calefont or gas or kerosene heater, make sure the area is well-ventilated.
This information is not meant to scare you, but rather to make you aware of the safety issues and protocol you need to follow if there is a calefont in the bathroom. If you are unsure about how to work a calefont, ask a Chilean friend, host family member or coworker for help. Always turn off the calefont and any heaters (estufas) that use gas when you’re done with them.
Do not hesitate to contact the Program Manager with any questions. For best practices, information on how to use these devices and what to do if you detect a strong gas odor visit the Chilean Ministerio de Energía's Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles website.