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Hot summer increases storm risk throughout autumn

Ross McPherson
October 2nd, 2018


This article is more than 6 years old.

The warm summer allowed Danes to enjoy their beaches more than usual but now it will keep them cooped up in their houses

A massive storm moves deeper over Europe as global warming increases temperatures and the risk of violent winds. (picture: NASA)

An abnormally hot summer has drastically increased the risk of violent storms during the Danish autumn and winter.

Denmark has already experienced two storms: Johanne at the beginning of August and Knud at the end of September. The winds on both occasions were aggressive enough to be considered hurricane strength.

A spokesman from the Danish Meteorological Institute said “October is due to have more bad weather because of frequent low-pressure zones and fronts from the west. We predict an increased risk of extreme winds and local storms.”

Watch out for flying tiles
Insurance company Codan’s annual weather survey for 2017 shows that 44 percent of weather-related damage was caused by storms. Typically, it is the roof of a building that suffers most. One-third of all damage in 2017 was to the roof – whilst in 2016 it was 54 percent.

“About one third of Danish homeowners have experienced damage due to the weather over the last 5 years. Codan recommends that you review your house’s storm readiness so that you are prepared when a warning is issued,” said Henrik Bundgaard, head of damage claims at Codan.

“The roof is particularly vulnerable if there are, for example, loose tiles or roofing elements that can make holes in the roof where water can come in,’’ added Bundgaard.

The company notes you should check roof tiles, antennas, unsteady trees, trampolines and flagpoles.

 


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A survey carried out by Megafon for TV2 has found that 71 percent of parents have handed over children to daycare in spite of them being sick.

Moreover, 21 percent of those surveyed admitted to medicating their kids with paracetamol, such as Panodil, before sending them to school.

The FOLA parents’ organisation is shocked by the findings.

“I think it is absolutely crazy. It simply cannot be that a child goes to school sick and plays with lots of other children. Then we are faced with the fact that they will infect the whole institution,” said FOLA chair Signe Nielsen.

Pill pushers
At the Børnehuset daycare institution in Silkeborg a meeting was called where parents were implored not to bring their sick children to school.

At Børnehuset there are fears that parents prefer to pack their kids off with a pill without informing teachers.

“We occasionally have children who that they have had a pill for breakfast,” said headteacher Susanne Bødker. “You might think that it is a Panodil more than a vitamin pill, if it is a child who has just been sick, for example.”

Parents sick and tired
Parents, when confronted, often cite pressure at work as a reason for not being able to stay at home with their children.

Many declare that they simply cannot take another day off, as they are afraid of being fired.

Allan Randrup Thomsen, a professor of virology at KU, has heavily criticised the parents’ actions, describing the current situation as a “vicious circle”.

“It promotes the spread of viruses, and it adds momentum to a cycle where parents are pressured by high levels of sick-leave. If they then choose to send the children to daycare while they are still recovering, they keep the epidemic going in daycares, and this in turn puts a greater burden on the parents.”