Lightning
If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stand on end, you are like a jet fighter that’s being painted by radar.
Make yourself as small a target as possible without lying flat: drop to your knees, bend forward and out your hands on your knees.
- Professionally-installed lightning rods make your home much safer in a storm.
- If you are indoors when thunder or the media alert sounds, stay indoors.
- Stay away from metal objects such as plumbing fixtures and appliances; do not use electrical equipment like telephones.
- Water is a great conductor, so do not use faucets or showers.
- Check the weather forecast before leaving for outside activities.
- If you are trapped outside in a thunderstorm, go to a low area and crouch (but do not lie flat). Avoid high areas like hilltops; if in a crowd, spread out. If the only building you can find is metal, don’t go inside.
- If you’re in a boat, get ashore and out of the craft immediately; if you’re in a car, stay in it.
- Safety under a tree is a myth; if you’re in woods or forest, find a spot under low, thick trees.
