Israelis, the military-issued booklet says, would have only between 30 seconds and three minutes to find cover and hunker down between the time air raid sirens sound and rockets slam into their area.The IDF is claiming business as usual.
The 15-page pamphlet has started to appear in mailboxes across the country, and instructs Israelis how to prepare a safe room or shelter for emergency situations.
On the cover a smiling Moishe Oofnik, the Israeli muppet version of Oscar the Grouch - the resident pessimist of the U.S. children's show Sesame Street - sticks out of the trash can he calls home.
He strikes a more pensive pose inside the booklet, resting his head on his hand under instructions on what to do when sirens wail.
An Israeli military source said on Monday the emergency pamphlet was part of a regular, public awareness campaign and noted it also included advice on how to act in the event of an earthquake.But this sure doesn't sound like business as usual.
"There are always innovations the public needs to know about, it doesn't mean anything is going to happen today, tomorrow or the next day," the source said.
The pamphlet urges Israelis to have a "family talk" about getting ready for any national emergency.And shut off the cell phones while you're at it.
"You should find the proper time to have the conversation -- not during mealtime or when you are watching television. It should not be held after a family argument or when you are agitated about some other pressing matter," it advises.
At least we aren't preparing to be nuked. Imagine if Iran were a nuclear power, God forbid. That's why this has to be done now.