How to protect yourself from bad weather Daniel

Sad are the images we see in the last few hours, from various regions of Greece, because of it bad weather and the General Secretariat of Civil Protection again addressed recommendations to citizens to be especially careful, taking care to take self-protection measures against risks arising from the occurrence of intense weather phenomena.

In particular, in areas where heavy rains, storms or gale-force winds are predicted, the Public Health Service recommends that citizens:

• To secure objects which, if carried away by severe weather conditions, may cause damage or injury.
• Make sure that the gutters and downspouts of the houses are not blocked and are working properly.
• Avoid crossing torrents and streams, on foot or by vehicle, during storms and rainfall, but also for several hours after the end of their event.
• Avoid outdoor work and activities in marine and coastal areas during severe weather events (risk of lightning strikes).
• Take shelter immediately during a hailstorm. Take refuge in a building or car and do not leave the safe area until they are sure the storm has passed. Hail can be very dangerous for animals too.
• Avoid passing under large trees, under posted signs and in general through areas where light objects (e.g. pots, broken glass, etc.) can become detached and fall to the ground (e.g. under balconies ).
• To faithfully follow the instructions of the local authorities, such as Traffic, etc. In areas where there is intense lightning activity:
• If you are at home:
• Do not hold electrical appliances or the telephone, as lightning can pass through the wires. Disconnect the TV sets from the antenna and the power supply.
• Avoid touching plumbing pipes (kitchen, bathroom), as they are good conductors of electricity.
• If you are in the car:
• Park it on the side of the road and away from trees that might fall on it.
• Stay inside and turn on your stop warning lights (emergency lights) until the storm clears.
• Close windows and do not touch metal objects.
• Avoid flooded roads. If you are outdoors, take shelter in a building or car, otherwise sit on the ground immediately without lying down.
• Take cover under solid branches of low trees if you are in a forest.
• Never take shelter under a tall tree in an open area.
• Avoid low-lying lands for the risk of flooding.
• Do not stand next to utility poles, power lines, telephone lines and fences.
• Keep away from metal objects (eg cars, bicycles, camping gear, etc.).
• Stay away from rivers, lakes or other bodies of water.
• If you are in the sea, get out immediately.
• If you're isolated on a flat surface and feel your hair stand on end (signaling that lightning is about to strike), sit deep with your head between your legs (to minimize your body surface area and contact with the ground ) by throwing the metal objects you have on you.