Question

What safety measures should be taken during lightning and thunderstorm?

Answer 1

Dear student,
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 lighting 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.
• Regards