Monday
Jul222013
Lightning Safety Tips
Monday, July 22, 2013 at 11:01AM 
Georgians often don’t realize the hazards thunderstorms can bring since they are so common. However, all thunderstorms are dangerous because they can produce strong winds, lightning, tornadoes, hail and flooding. Nearly 10 percent of thunderstorms are classified as severe, meaning they have winds of 58 mph or higher, hail at least three-quarters of an inch and may produce a tornado.
HERE ARE SOME GREAT LIGHTNING SAFETY TIPS TO KEEP YOU SAFE:
Indoor Lightning Safety
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Avoid contact with corded phone.
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Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
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Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
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Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
Outdoor Lightning Safety:
- Postpone outdoor activities.
- Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside
- Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
- Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
- Natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.
- Hilltops, open fields, the beach, or a boat on the water.
CHECK OUT OUR 'NATURE'S FURY' BOARD ON PINTEREST FOR SOME GREAT STORM PHOTOS
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