Due to the imminent arrival of Storm Barra and in line with advice from the Department of Further and Higher Education for all universities, RCSI will be closed today, Tuesday, 7 December.

The safety of staff and students is of paramount importance at RCSI. Staff whose roles allow for remote working are asked to work from home tomorrow, allowing for flexibility and understanding with respect to childcare and caring demands.

Though not foreseen, for any researchers who require essential campus access tomorrow please contact the Health and Safety Office. Researchers should only be onsite if it is absolutely essential to support current experiments.

We do ask you all to take necessary precautions to stay safe. Please check the Met Éireann website  for updates relative to your area.

Some general advice to stay safe:

• Keep your Eircode to hand as it is helpful in times of emergency
• Stay away from the edge of coastal areas, as well as cliffs, harbours, marinas, piers, rivers, lakes and breakwaters
• Power cuts are possible, so charge phones and powerbanks, and check batteries in torches
• If power goes, use LED candles, not real ones if possible
• Have your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) to hand when contacting ESB Networks. The MPRN starts with the digits 10 and is shown on the bill from your electricity supplier
• In advance of the bad weather, and only when safe to do so, check for any loose roof tiles and put away or tie down any loose items in gardens. Clear loose debris from gutters and drains to avoid blockages. Trim any bushes or small trees that could cause damage
• Know where to switch off electricity, gas and water supplies
• Check on isolated or vulnerable neighbours and family members
• If you do need to go out be aware that very strong winds could make driving conditions hazardous, especially for cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and high-sided vehicles
• Check vehicle tyres and turn lights on before driving
• If trees fall, electricity lines will come down. If a tree is down be careful as live wires could be there too