What to do if you receive a warning about thunderstorms or strong wind gusts?
- Unless absolutely necessary, do not leave the building.
- Be prepared for power outages. Remember! Charge your mobile phone in time.
- Secure objects on the balcony or in the yard that could be blown away and cause damage.
- Closes doors, windows, blinds, curtains and attic hatches.
- Disconnect electrical equipment in a timely manner. A surge in current or voltage caused by lightning can cause serious damage.
- Do not park your car under trees, scaffolding, advertising billboards, or power lines.
Remember! Broken tree branches, loose objects or debris can be carried through the air, so be extra careful when outdoors in strong winds.
What to do if a thunderstorm starts and you are inside a building?
- Stay in the building and stop others from walking outside.
- Avoid contact with electrical appliances, wires and metal objects.
- Disconnect electrical appliances from the power supply.
- Does not wash hands, dishes, laundry. Does not shower or bathe.
- Do not turn on the stove or oven.
- Do not go near windows or doors, do not stay on the veranda, balcony or loggia.
- If a tree has fallen, wires are broken, there has been an accident or other incident, call 1 1 2.
What to do if a thunderstorm starts and you are outdoors?
- Take shelter in a building or in a car. Remember! If you are driving, find a safe place to stop. Stay in the car, avoid touching metal surfaces, and turn on your hazard lights. Do not use electrical appliances.
- When in the forest, it seeks shelter in a lower area, in a thicket with low trees.
- If you are in an open area, take shelter in a low place, such as a ravine or valley. Avoid being on hills, in open fields, near power lines.
- If you are on the water, try to get to shore and seek shelter immediately.
- Avoid sheltering in sheds, small structures, or under large, isolated trees in open areas.
- Do not sleep on concrete surfaces or touch concrete walls.
- Take off jewelry, avoid contact with metal objects, agricultural machinery, bicycles, and similar things.
Who to call if you see a fallen or broken tree or its branches?
The State Fire and Rescue Service responds to calls that pose an immediate threat to human life and health. For example, when a tree has fallen on a car in which a person is sitting, when a tree has fallen on a road along which emergency services vehicles would not be able to rush to help other people in distress, when a tree has fallen on power lines, etc.
The State Fire and Rescue Service does not respond to calls where a tree or its branch has fallen or broken in parks, private properties and street greenery, where residents can bypass, drive around or even avoid them.
Who to contact if a tree or its branches have broken or snapped but do not pose a hazard?
The owner or possessor of the land is responsible for fallen trees and branches that have been broken or blown away by a storm. He or she must take responsibility for the damage caused by these trees and branches and for the timely removal of the trees and branches so that they do not hinder the use of the specific property.
If a tree or its branches have broken or snapped, but do not pose a threat, you should contact the building/ land manager or the specific municipality.