From - Avoid open areas. Don't be the tallest object in the area.
- Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility
poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an
area.
- Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or
fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can
travel long distances through it.
- Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you'll go for
safety and how much time it will take to get there. Make
sure your plan allows enough time to reach safety.
- Postpone activities. Before going outdoors, check
the forecast for thunderstorms. Consider postponing
activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.
- Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing
thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning
or increasing wind.
- Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant
rumble, immediately move to a safe place. Fully enclosed
buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the best
protection. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered
porches do NOT protect you from lightning. If a sturdy
building is not nearby, get into a hard-topped metal
vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until
30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
- If you hear thunder, don't use a corded phone except
in an emergency. Cordless phones and cell phones are
safe to use.
- Keep away from electrical equipment and wiring.
- Water pipes conduct electricity. Don't take a bath or shower or use other plumbing during a storm.
For More Information
- View The Weather Channel's US Lightning Strikes Weather in Motion® map
- Read the National Weather Service's lightning links, forecasts, and assessments
- Tune into the NOAA's Weather Radio for storm warnings
Plus: Read our Quick Study on twisters. Learn about the anatomy of a tornado and check out the time line of life-changing twisters.
Source: The National Weather Service, a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
always get otu of a pool if you hear thunder