Even Indoors, Lightning May Strike
Tips for Safety in a Storm

Thunder booms. Lightning strikes. Quick -- stop washing the dishes.

Everyone may know the basics about lightning safety... avoid open spaces, don't take shelter under the tallest tree and try to stay inside, but there is much more to it...

While most of us have heard the warnings about swimming or boating during thunderstorms, avoiding other water contact when lightning is flashing is good safety advice too. That even means staying out of the shower and tub and, yes, keeping your hands out of dishwater.

Lightning kills or injures hundreds of people each year. A recent issue of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter offered these additional tips to protect you:

Seek shelter -- Stay in enclosed buildings. Inner rooms are the safest. Avoid doors, windows and anything that conducts electricity. Stay out of picnic pavilions and rain shelters. If need be, seek safety in a car and close the windows. As long as you aren’t touching metal, the car’s steel frame offers some protection.

Don’t use electrical appliances or telephones with cords -- Lightning can follow electrical wires and phone lines into your home.

If you’re caught outdoors, use the 30-30 rule -- Seek a safer location immediately if the thunder occurs 30 seconds or less after the lightning. Once the storm has passed, wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash before leaving shelter.

Avoid lightning targets -- Stay away from trees and any tall, isolated structures. If you’re caught in an open area, drop metal items such as golf clubs and tennis racquets.

Source: Newswise

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More lightning & weather safety tips around the Web:

Lightning Safety Tips - National Lightning Safety Institute

Lightning safety - Wikipedia

also see in Recreation -> Camping Safety Tips

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