Falling branches or roof tiles, flying objects - you are exposed to many dangers outdoors during a severe storm. Therefore, only try to leave your home in emergencies. At home, you can take further precautions to protect yourself:
During hail and hurricanes, close windows, shutters or shutters and stay away from unprotected openings.
If there is still enough time, secure moveable objects such as garden furniture, bicycles, etc. outside.
Find an interior room on the first floor. However, avoid basement rooms, as these can quickly become flooded with water and become life-threatening traps.
Avoid rooms with large ceiling spans such as halls.
Unplug sensitive devices or use surge protectors. Corresponding devices are commercially available.
Despite all caution, it can happen that you are surprised by a storm when you are not at home. Do the right thing to protect yourself.
Outdoors
Avoid unprotected places where you could be hit by hail or objects blown by the storm.
Take shelter in a building and avoid halls with large ceiling spans during strong storms.
If there is hail, if there is no protection anywhere, lie face down on the ground and protect your head and neck with your hands!
Take shelter inside a building during a thunderstorm. If there is no protective building in sight, squat down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together, preferably in a hollow.
During a thunderstorm, avoid open areas, mountain peaks, trees, towers, masts, antennas and do not lean on fences.
During a thunderstorm, keep a minimum distance of 50 meters from overhead power lines.
Avoid touching objects with metal parts such as umbrellas and bicycles during thunderstorms.
In the car
You are safe in the car during a thunderstorm. So stay in the vehicle but do not touch any bare metal parts.
Protection for animals
Also think about your pets or livestock. Animals are greatly frightened by storms. Try to calm your animals down and make sure that they cannot leave protected areas such as the home or stable.
