Lightning Safety

Lightning Safety Precautions

Additional Lightning Safety comments and suggestions by the author of this web site.

Inside the home, avoiding the telephone is only one of many things one should not embark on doing. You should also be aware of some other dangers as well. These include bathing or showering for obvious reasons. Standing in the open doorway entrance to your home watching the lightning is not a good idea either. Most doorways have metal frames around them! Burglar bars are another danger! Keep away from Burglar bars. Don't hang on them or touch them! Burglar bars are usually made from steel. Another danger is the plane old window. Windows can be a danger to. Most windows also have metal or steel framing around them. They probably have burglar bars on them too! Washing Dishes is also extremely dangerous. Rather wait until the storm has passed before doing these sort of things. Leaning against a wall can also be dangerous. Do you know that walls carry water pipes and electrical conduits for electric wires. You could be leaning less than an inch away from where lightning could pass by, and also pass through or shock you badly.

Household appliances, should be turned off and Unplugged from the power outlet. Unplug the Television Arial from the socket. Also if possible, switch off the main electrical switch which delivers power to your home.

When thunderstorms approach there are some steps you should take to lower your chance of becoming a lightning strike statistic. These safety procedures are suggested by the National Weather Service:

When a thunderstorm threatens, get inside a home or large building, or inside an all-metal (not convertible) vehicle

Inside a home , avoid using the telephone, except for emergencies

If outside, with no time to reach a safe building or an automobile, follow these rules

Do not stand underneath a natural lightning rod such as a tall, isolated tree

Avoid projecting above the surrounding landscape as you would do if you were standing on a hilltop, in an open field, on the beach, or fishing from a small boat

Get out of and away from open water

Get away from tractors and other metal farm equipment

Get off of and away from motorcycles, scooters, golf carts and bicycles. Put down golf clubs.

Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes, rails and other metallic paths which could carry lightning to you from some distance away.

Avoid standing in small isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.

In a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees. In open areas, go to a low place such as a ravine or a valley. Be alert for flash floods.

If you're hopelessly isolated in a level field of prairie and you feel your hair stand on end - indicating that lightning is about to strike - drop to your knees and bend forward putting your hands on your knees. Do not lie flat on the ground.