To stay safe in a thunderstorm, you need to be aware that lightning strikes can be incredibly dangerous, even deadly. While the chances of getting struck by lightning are not great, it does happen. And there are other dangers like tree limbs falling and flooding to contend with as well. So it’s important to stay weather aware whenever you plan to do outdoor activities. If you are near shelter, go inside and take precautions to avoid windows and other dangerous areas of the house. If you are not near any buildings, take cover where you can that is safe. Finally, if you are caught out in the middle of nowhere with no shelter available, know some basic precautions to keep in mind to prevent injuries from lightning. Hopefully, you won’t get caught unaware, and if you do, you’ll know what to do in order to stay safe.
How to Stay Safe in a Thunderstorm: Caught in the Rain
Stay Weather Aware
The easiest way to stay safe in a thunderstorm is to not get caught in one in the first place. If you plan to do outdoor activities, make sure to check the weather forecast. Especially during summer months when storms can come up very suddenly and be unpredictable. Even if storms aren’t in the forecast, it’s still important to know how to stay safe in the event that you’re stuck when an unexpected storm hits.
Get Inside
If you want to stay safe in a thunderstorm, the best thing to do is to go inside immediately. Once in your home or another building, try to stay away from windows and from water. Lightning can conduct electricity through any conduits in your home. So stay away from electronics because lightning strikes can travel through plumbing, wires, and other conductors of electricity. In fact, landline telephones, water pipes, and other indoor conduits account for nearly a third of lightning injuries every year.
Find Cover
If you are out and get caught in a storm when you aren’t near any buildings or shelter, it’s best to take cover if possible. A car is a good choice, as long as it’s not a convertible and has a top. If you are in the woods, avoid standing under the tallest tree. Instead, find shorter trees that are denser and stand there while you wait out the storm. If you are near water, move away quickly.
If No Shelter Available
If you are caught somewhere where there is no shelter available, the danger is even greater. To stay safe in a thunderstorm with no cover, it’s best to stay at least 50-100 feet away from anybody else in your party. This can decrease the chances of lightning jumping from one person to another. If you are in an area with lightning strikes, assume a safety position by crouching down with your feet together, head tucked to your chest and hands over your ears. Do not lie on the ground as this can present more of a target. If you feel your hair standing on end, assume the crouching position and move to a different area as soon as the immediate danger passes.
During the summer months, it’s especially important to know how to stay safe in a thunderstorm because nasty weather can come up out of nowhere. If you plan on being outdoors, it’s important to pay attention to weather forecasts and warnings. Hopefully, you can avoid getting caught in any major storms. However, if it happens, seek shelter immediately. If you are near a building, take cover there and stay away from windows, electrical outlets, and water. If you aren’t close to a building, consider taking cover in a car or in a copse of trees. If there is absolutely no cover available, you might want to consider assuming a safety crouch if you are noticing a lot of lightning strikes around you. Hopefully, you won’t get caught in any dangerous weather this summer, but it’s important to never underestimate just how dangerous Mother Nature can really be.