Severe Weather Emergencies

Extremely cold weather

Extreme freezing cold can lead to problems with heating, freezing of water mains and lines, and power outages. All of this may result in a fire hazard. Make sure that your family members are also able to see and prevent threats.

In exceptionally cold weather

• Heat a wood-burning firebox with one load of wood at a time, two to three times a day.
• Do not close the damper too early.
• Make sure that electric heaters do not overload the electrical system.
• Wrap pipes with additional insulation to avoid the risk of freezing.
• Use heating cables or fan heaters to thaw frozen pipes. Do not warm frozen pipes with an open flame.
• If possible, remain indoors.
• Dress warmly and wear layers when going outside. Pay attention to particularly sensitive areas of the body.
• If driving is unavoidable, fill the tank with fuel. Bring along a charged mobile phone, warm clothes, and a warm drink.

In case of frostbite:

• Quickly bring the victim to a warm place and slowly begin to warm them. In case of loss of consciousness and cardiac arrest associated with deep hypothermia, call 112 immediately. Then start resuscitation: open the airway and begin administering an indirect heart massage.
• With deep undercooling, begin warming from the inside to the outside. Inhalation of warm vapours or drinking warm liquid helps the body to warm up.
• The first sign of freezing of the extremities is pain. Helping to alleviate this are active movements and massage.
• Do not visit a sauna after suffering from frostbite. A sudden rise in temperature can be life-threatening.
• Frozen hands or feet must not be placed in hot water. A sudden change in temperature can damage tissues.
• In the event of a cold wave, keep in touch with disabled or elderly neighbours, as well as relatives and acquaintances living in secluded rural areas.
• Domestic animals also need greater care than usual. If possible, allow your outdoor dog to come inside. Outside, offer your dog warm food several times a day. Make sure that they have shelter from the wind and that they are not forced to lie on bare snow.