Lightning: A Dangerous Hazard

Safety Tips & Videos

Be aware of your local weather forecast.
If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning.
Remember the phrase, “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
High winds, rainfall, and cloud cover often act as warnings to actual cloud-to-ground lightning strikes. This is the signal to take action.
Do not lie on the ground if you are caught outside during a thunderstorm. This outdated advice doesn’t take into account the danger of ground currents. These currents can spread out 100 feet from a lightning strike, and a person whose body is completely in contact with the ground, can be seriously injured by the ground current.
Never seek shelter under an isolated tree.
If you are outdoors, avoid bodies of water, high ground, open spaces, metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, and power tools.
Avoid open fields and high ground, standing under trees or unprotected shelters, sports dugouts, flagpoles, light poles, radio and cell towers, bleachers, golf carts, bicycles, and convertible cars.
If you are indoors, avoid doors, windows and water. Do not use telephones. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from all TV sets, appliances, computers, and power tools. Take off headsets.

Lightning Causes Preventable Damage

Helpful Information About Lightning Rods