How to Protect Yourself In A Lightning And Thunderstorm

During a weather storm your chances of being struck by lightning are slim, but lightning does not need to strike directly to cause injury or death. Learn how to keep safe during a lightning and thunder storm.

Instructions

1. Seek shelter immediately with the approach of a sever storm. If possible, go to a building that has an electrical ground. Avoid seeking shelter in isolated buildings, such as barns, sheds, and huts. Take a battery operated radio with you to keep up to date on any upcoming severe weather.

2. Do not bathe, wash dishes, or handle wet objects during a lightning and thunderstorm.

3. Avoid using the telephone during a thunder storm. Unplug the phone and all other unneeded appliances.

4. If you are outdoors, get off high ground, such as the brow of a hill and away from tall trees, electric fences, and telephone wires and poles. If you are part of a group, spread out. Do not lie flat on the ground. This would allow an electrical current to travel more easily through your vital organs. You must squat down on the lowest level ground you can find. Put your head between you knees, and hug your knees.

5. If you are on the water when the storm hits, if possible try to reach shore as soon as possible.

6. If hiking when a lightning and thunderstorm hits do not take cover in a rock face, over hangs, cave mouths, or recesses under boulders. Lightning can arc across the gaps on its way to the ground.

7. If you are in a car stay there. A car is designed to harmlessly ground lighting. Keep the radio turned to local channels to be warned of any tornado or storm damaging winds. Make sure to keep all window closed.

8. If outside be aware of what you are carrying. Metal objects such as gulf clubs, your clubs, fishing rods, guns back pack frames, aluminum bats, and tennis rackets could act as a lightning rods.