Uskudar University Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan provided information on precautions to be taken during a storm, warning citizens to walk away from objects that may fly in the storm.
Walk away from under roofs, minarets, or trees!
Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan provided the following information regarding precautions to be taken during a storm:
“Precautions to be taken during a storm;
1. One should stay indoors.
2. If it is absolutely necessary to go outside, it would be beneficial to walk away from objects that may fly in the storm. One should walk cautiously away from under roofs, minarets, or trees. Main streets should be preferred.
3. If damage has occurred due to the storm, it is absolutely necessary to wait for the storm to end. The necessary repairs should be made afterward.
4. Not operating stoves or heaters during the storm will reduce potential damages.”
No work should be done on tower cranes in construction sites or on scaffolding outside construction sites
Assist. Prof. Dr. Rüştü Uçan also pointed out the precautions to be taken at construction sites during a storm, stating the following:
“The main precautions to be taken at construction sites are;
1. Before the storm begins, construction work and outdoor building work should be paused.
2. Work should not be done on tower cranes at construction sites or on scaffolding outside construction sites.
3. Plastering, facade cladding, etc., done on the exterior of buildings should be halted in advance. Their scaffolding should be reinforced to withstand the storm.
4. In case of rain after the storm, measures should be taken to prevent rainwater from entering basement floors.”
What precautions should apartment residents take?
Dr. Uçan also listed the precautions that apartment residents should take as follows:
“1. All doors and windows should be reinforced.
2. Tables and chairs on our balconies should be brought inside our apartment. If we cannot bring them inside, they should be secured so they are not affected by the storm. Planters on balconies and in gardens should be brought indoors if possible. If this is not possible, the planters should be fixed to the ground so they do not fly away in the storm.
3. Water drains should be checked.
4. If there are shutters/covers on the windows, these should be closed and secured.
5. During the period when a storm is expected, picnic areas or beaches should be avoided. Barbecues should especially not be lit in picnic areas. It should be taken into account that forest fires starting in such weather conditions will rapidly spread due to the wind.
6. As we enter the winter period, building roofs should be checked by authorities. It should be verified whether the roofs are securely installed. Those that are not secure should be made secure.
7. If possible, vehicles should be kept in covered parking lots. Old trees that are likely to fall should be pruned and made safe.”
If you have damage after the storm…
Uçan concluded his words by listing what should be done after storm-related damage:
“Electric wires, telephone wires broken due to the storm, or wires you don't know what they are should not be touched. If they are in a puddle of water, one should move away from there. If there is an electric wire and a leak, even if not touched directly, one can be electrocuted due to the water. Retaining wall collapses may be encountered. One should walk away from such walls. If there is damage affected by the storm, professional help should be sought.”