Safety during thunderstorms

When thunder rolls and the sky cracks open with lightning, it can feel thrilling — but that flash in the sky carries danger.

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Storm-clouds do not respect boundaries, and lightning can strike with little warning. Whether you are at home, on the road or caught outdoors, it helps to know what to do — and what to avoid — when a thunderstorm hits.

As soon as you hear thunder or see lightning, the time to act is now. Head indoors into a building that is fully enclosed, with walls, a roof and a proper floor. A car with a metal roof and the windows rolled up also offers decent protection. Avoid open shelters such as tents, patios, gazebos, or open-roof vehicles. These offer little or no protection — in fact they may leave you more exposed.

If you are inside, do your best to stay away from potential conduits of electricity. That means no baths or showers, no washing of dishes or hands, and no contact with running water from taps or pipes. Water — and the metal plumbing and fixtures that carry it — conducts electricity. Using water during a storm dramatically increases the risk of a dangerous electric current reaching you.