Lightning Safety Awareness: 5 Important Tips to Keep Safe from Lightning Strikes

Lightning strikes are deadly and happen anytime in the US, particularly in the southern portions. Staying updated with forecasts is important. Here are five tips to keep safe from lightning strikes.

Evacuating into safe or secure areas is one of the best preventive measures to stay out of the threat of lightning. People are vulnerable to storms, severe thunderstorms, and challenging weather conditions.

Additionally, homeowners should have emergency plans to stay safe from lightning strikes. Here are the five steps to watch out for potential lightning threats in parts of the U.S.

Check for the Weather Forecasts

Zoom Earth Satellite via NESDIS-NOAA. Staying updated with the weather is advisable in the US, particularly severe thunderstorms. Lightning strikes can cause potential dangers to lives and properties. Lightning safety will help keep people safe. Although the event is rare, it can potentially lead to dangerous situations. (Photo : Zoom Earth Satellite via NESDIS-NOAA)

Homeowners should keep updated with the latest weather forecasts, including severe thunderstorms, and lightning strikes. Turning on mobile alerts for severe weather will be helpful during challenging weather conditions.

When there are severe thunderstorms and threats of lightning strikes, it is best to stay at home or wait until the weather finally improves. Additionally, disaster plans will help keep people safe from lightning threats.

Look for secure areas

As mentioned, severe weather threats can happen anytime in the US, particularly in the southern portions. When thunder strikes, homeowners should look or stay in secure areas. Homeowners should evacuate into enclosed shelters, and go away from open areas, powerlines, trees, and waters like ponds and lakes.

Additionally, people should stay away from high-elevated areas, including peaks, mountains, and mountain ridges. It is not advisable to be in golf carts or motorcycles.

Before leaving homes, checking for thunderstorm advisories is advisable. Being in sturdy buildings or walls can reduce the potential risks.

Wait until a Thunderstorm or Lightning Strike Stops

Thunderstorms can be followed by heavy rain and strong winds. When thunder occurs, it is important to wait for about 30 minutes until the lightning or thunder stops. It is not advisable to use it when thunderstorms hit:

Corded phones
Electronic equipment

Emergency Kits At Home

Severe thunderstorms, with frequent lightning, can lead to power outages and inaccessible road conditions. Having emergency kits will help when being stranded at home. Households are advised to store emergency kits, including the following:

Battery-powered radio
Extra mobile phone
Flashlights
Bottled water
Food packs like canned food with an opener

Personalized emergency kits are advisable that they can bring during evacuations.

Also Read: 242 Million Lightning Flashes in US Unfold in 2023 with 13 Total Fatalities, New Report Shows

Protecting Home from thunderstorms

For houses, homeowners should protect their homes from the risk of thunderstorms. According to reports, thunderstorms can damage trees, which can likely fall on homes. It is best to check for any items that are unsafe when severe thunderstorms occur.

After severe thunderstorms and lightning strikes, homeowners should check for potential home damages. If any family members are injured, immediately bring them to nearby hospitals.

Staying updated with high-risk locations and complying with lightning procedures will potentially expose you to lightning strikes and severe weather conditions. For homeowners, having disaster plans and emergency kits can mitigate the risks.