Do's and Don'ts During Thunderstorms

Summer can have some unexpected (and dramatic!) weather, from hurricanes to tornadoes and massive flooding. These major weather events can cause extensive damage to people and property, but a common lightning storm can leave a devastating impact, as well. Lightning can pose serious safety risks, but there are precautions you can take to protect yourself and your property until the storm blows over. Below are a few basic do’s and don’ts to keep in mind during a thunderstorm. For more helpful safety tips, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s website.

Do:

      Stay inside.  There’s no guarantee that lightning won’t affect an enclosed shelter, but you’ll be much safer inside.  A house, business, office building, or car with a hard top would all be considered enclosed shelters.

Stay away from windows.  It seems like a no-brainer, but make sure all entryways to your home are shut tightly so the rain won’t get in and cause water damage.  Once the windows are shut, move away from them. The lightning could travel through the metal in the window frame.  
Stay away from electronic equipment. If possible, avoid watching TV, using any electronic device or appliances during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through a house’s electrical system or TV and radio connection systems (and you can get a serious jolt if you use any of the above electronics). Invest in whole-house surge protectors to keep your electronics and appliances safe.

Don’t:

 Go near water. As mentioned above, don’t use your washer or dryer, but also avoid washing your hands, doing dishes, or taking a shower during a thunderstorm, as lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing.

Seek shelter in an open structure or space. If you’re outside and caught off guard by a sudden thunderstorm, try to get to a sturdy, enclosed structure rather than one that’s open, such as a pavilion or gazebo.  Also avoid waiting it out in a vehicle like a convertible or golf cart.  If you’re outside with no visible means of shelter, crouch down as low as you can, with as little of your body touching the ground as possible.

Use a phone with a cord. Corded phones are a bigger safety risk because lightning can travel down the phone cables. Cordless or cell phones are safe to use.

Go outside.  Watch the weather forecast and take weather alerts on your electronic device seriously. If there’s a storm in the forecast, be prepared to delay, postpone, or cancel your outdoor plans. Take the time to secure or bring in outdoor furniture or other lightweight items that could blow away when the storm finally hits. Bring pets and plants inside and be prepared to wait it out.

Lightning is impressive to watch (when you’re safely inside, at a distance) but it can be dangerous if you don’t take the proper precautions.