Code Red or severe storm: How to prepare your home and family

The KNMI issues Code Orange or even Code Red: a severe storm is approaching. Although we are used to some wind in our country, in recent years we have seen that an extreme storm is increasingly hitting the Netherlands with strong gusts of wind, lightning strikes, and flying branches. This regularly leads to local infrastructural problems.

There is no reason to panic, but a cautionary glance at the weather forecast is appropriate. Good, practical preparation prevents a lot of stress. In this article, you will read exactly how to prepare your home and family for extreme weather and what essential hardware should not be missing from your equipment.

The consequences of extreme weather: Be completely prepared

When trees fall or lightning strikes transformer houses, the risk of a power outage due to a storm is significant. Your lights stop working, the Wi-Fi router goes out, and the house slowly starts to cool down. At such a moment, it is too late to drive to the hardware store. Therefore, make sure you already have the right items at home. By acting calmly and systematically, the situation remains manageable.

Step-by-step plan: During the storm

As the storm reaches its peak, safety is the absolute priority. Follow these practical steps:

• Stay indoors: Close all doors and windows securely. Bring loose items in the garden (such as flowerpots or garden chairs) inside or tie them down firmly before the wind picks up.

• Stay away from large windows: During extreme gusts of wind, branches or roof tiles can smash through the panes.

• Prepare your emergency kit: Make sure you have direct access to your emergency kit so you don't have to search in the dark if the power goes out.

If the power goes out: Ensure light and communication

Suddenly in the dark? Grab your gear right away. We strongly advise against using candles; the risk of fire is too great, especially if panic arises or if drafts blow in through damaged windows.

Instead, choose reliable hardware:

• Flashlights: A strong LED flashlight is indispensable for inspecting the meter cupboard or any damage.

• Communication via an emergency radio: In the event of a widespread power outage, transmission masts will eventually fail, and the internet will no longer work. A wind-up radio (with a hand crank) ensures that you can always tune into the regional emergency channel for government updates.

• Power banks: Ensure you have charged, robust power banks to keep your smartphone alive for emergency communication with family.

If the heating fails: Maintain body heat

A power outage in most households also means that the central heating boiler or heat pump stops working. Especially during a harsh autumn or winter storm, the indoor temperature drops quickly. When the heating fails, it is crucial to keep yourself and your family warm without dangerous solutions such as gas burners indoors.

How do you do that safely?

• Immediately put on multiple layers of clothing (layers insulate better than one thick sweater).

• Use insulation blankets (survival blankets). These compact, silver-colored blankets reflect up to 90% of your own body heat. Wrap them around you if you are sitting still on the couch; they are particularly effective and indispensable in every household.

What to do in case of storm damage?

Even with the best preparations, an extreme storm can cause damage, such as a blown-off roof tile or a broken window. But what to do in case of storm damage?

• Never go onto the roof or outside to repair damage during the storm. Your safety always comes first.

• Isolate the room where the damage is (close the door) to keep the rest of the house warm and draft-free.

• Once the storm has subsided, take clear photos of the situation for your insurance and, if necessary, call the fire department if there is an immediate danger to the surroundings.

Your emergency storm kit: The essential hardware

By acting proactively, you are no longer dependent on external factors. Assemble a compact but powerful emergency storm kit and store it in a fixed, dry place (for example, near the meter cupboard).

Make sure your kit contains at least the following hardware:

• A reliable, wind-up emergency radio

• Strong (wind-up) flashlights

• High-capacity power banks

• Multiple insulation blankets (at least one per family member)

Be one step ahead of the storm

A severe storm happens to you, but how you deal with it is up to you. Don't wait until the KNMI issues Code Red and the power actually goes out. Make sure you already have the right equipment in the cupboard so that you and your family stay safe, warm, and informed.

Want to be sure you get the best gear? Check out the assortment on CompleetVoorbereid.nl today. Order your individual storm essentials or a complete, reliable hardware emergency kit before the weather turns. This way, you'll always be completely prepared!