Personal Lightning Safety

If you are outside and you notice a storm brewing, do you know what to do? Here are a few safety tips…

• Keep an eye on the sky, watch for well-defined darkening cumulus clouds, and listen for thunder.
• If you see a flash in the sky, start counting "one one thousand, two one thousand, three one thousand", and so on until you hear thunder. Take that number and divide it by 5. This will let you know how many miles away the approaching storm is. For every five seconds the storm is 1 mile away.
• If the storm approaches, seek shelter in a building (preferably with lightning protection) or car.
• Once inside, turn off all appliances, stay off the phone, and avoid taking a shower or running the water. A lightning surge can enter the house through all of these.
• If you are not able to get indoors, go to a low-lying open area away from trees, poles, and anything metal.
• Assume the safety position. Make yourself a small target. Squat low to the ground, place your hands on your knees and put your head down low. Do not lie flat on the ground.
• If you are trapped in the woods, take shelter under the shortest trees in the area.
• If you are boating or swimming, get out of the water immediately and seek shelter.

• If you are trapped in a boat, seek the lowest area away form anything metal, and assume the safety position.
• If someone has been struck, administer first aid immediately and call for help. Do not be afraid to handle the person, they carry no electrical charge.