Lightning Previous Page Home Page
Protect Yourself
- Get inside a home or large enclosed building when a storm approaches (NOT a caarport, open garage, or covered atio.. Don't wait for rain to postpone outdoor activities. Most people struck by lightning are not in the rain.
- If no enclosed building is convenient, get inside a hard-topped all metal vehicle.
- Stay indoors and don't venture outside unless absolutely necessary.
- Stay away from open doors, windows, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks, and appliances.
- Stay away from plumbing fixtures.
- During the storm, do not use plug-in electrical equipment, such as hair dryers, electric blankets, or razors.
- Do not use corded phones. Use telephone for emergencies only. Lightning may strike the telephone lines outside.
- Do not lie on concrete floors.
If Outside with No Time to Reach a Safe Building or Vehicle:
- Do not stand under a natural lightning rod, such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.
- Stay close to the ground.
- Get out of the water and off small boats. If boating or swimming, go to land and find shelter.
- Get away from tractors and other metal farm equipment.
- Stay away from wire fences, clothes lines, metal pipes, rails, exposed sheds, or anything that is high and could conduct electricity. Some of these items could carry electricity to you from some distance away.
- Don't use metal objects, such as fishing rods, golf clubs, cleats, etc.
- Get off and away from motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, and bicycles.
- If buildings are not available, seek protection in a cave, ditch, canyon, or under a head-high clump of trees--a low spot away from potential flooding.
- If in the woods, find shelter under short trees.
- If only isolated trees are nearby, your best protection is to crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from isolated trees as the trees are high.
- When you feel an electrical charge, that is, if your hair stands on end or your skin tingles, immediately squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet, put your hands on the top of your head, and place your head between your legs.
- Do NOT lie flat on the ground.
Remember the "30-30 Rule":
- The first "30" means that you need to take cover after hearing thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning flash (flash-to-bang ratio).
- The second "30" indicates waiting at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or thunder before resuming normal activity.
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