Staying Safe During a Storm – At Home and at The Wheel

With weather warnings on the up and five storms hitting our green ilse so far, it’s been an unpredictable start to the year. Protecting ourselves, our homes and our vehicles is the ultimate priority during wild weather. We take a look at some simple tips to help you and your family stay safe in any upcoming storms.

At home

Our homes are our castles so it’s important that we look after them, especially during extreme weather conditions.

• Be prepared for a possible power outage. That means it’s time to stock up on the candles, matches and batteries for torches. Electric Ireland advise that we “turn off electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits when the power returns. Leave a lamp on to alert you when power comes back on”.

• Take a walk around your garden and tie down anything that’s a flight risk. Trampolines are especially notorious for taking flight and can do untold damage, not only to your own property but to the neighbour’s too.

• If you have electric gates, make sure you know how to open and secure them during a power outage.

• When you know there is a storm on the way, stock up on food that doesn’t require cooking if you don’t have a gas stove to hand. Better still, invest in a camping stove and gas cylinder so you’re never left hungry in the dark.

• Make sure all gutters are clear of debris to avoid blockages during a storm.

At the wheel

Driving during a storm should be avoided where possible. However if you do find yourself travelling during a storm here are some tips to help get you to your destination safely.

• Slow down! Fallen and falling trees and debris are a real hazard on our roads during a storm so we should slow down to ensure we have time to react to unexpected blockages on the road.
• Keep your distance from other vehicles, cyclists and motorcyclists. Strong cross winds can make it difficult to keep control of your car so it’s a good idea to leave extra space for safety reasons.
• Never approach fallen or damaged electricity wires. Instead, contact ESB Networks immediately on 1800 372 999 or 021 238 2410.
• Conditions can change in the blink of an eye so it’s best to ensure you keep up to date with local conditions and advice from your local authority. Also check out Met Éireann for weather warning updates.
• The national website gov.ie also has good advice – they emphasise the importance of avoiding coastal areas during storm warnings.

If you’re aware of an upcoming storm, make sure you keep your mobile phone fully charged should you need to contact emergency services – there’s a handy list of important contact numbers on the gov.ie website.

For An Post Insurance Car Insurance and Home Policy holders that may need assistance as a result of a weather warning, all contact details can be found on our website anpostinsurance.ie/contact-us under the claims and emergency section.

An Post Insurance Home Insurance is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC.

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