• Summer Thunderstorms
• Wildfire Safety
• Storm Preparedness
• Flash Floods
• Prep Your Boat for Hurricane Season

Keep Safe During Summer Thunderstorms

The best way to stay safe from Mother Nature's fury is to be prepared.

One of her most furious weapons is lightning –– a 6-mile, 50,000-degree electrical current that will travel the easiest route from a cloud to the ground. Whatever it in its path is struck.

Follow these lightning safety tips before, during and after a storm to help prevent damage to your personal belongings and possibly save lives.

To protect your home:

• Use surge protectors on all electrical equipment, computers, microwaves, sound systems and the like
  
• Consider installing a lightning rod system
  
• When a storm approaches, unplug as many electrical appliances as possible, especially delicate ones like computers and stereo equipment

To protect yourself indoors:

• Avoid using the telephone, except for emergencies
  
• Unplug electrical appliances, such as televisions
  
• Stay away from electrical appliances that can't be unplugged
  
• Don't use the shower or bath (lightning can travel through metal plumbing)
  
• Stay away from plumbing fixtures

To protect yourself outside:

• Seek shelter indoors
  
• If no shelter is available, don't stand near tall, isolated objects, like trees because they act as natural lightning rods
  
• Avoid open water (lakes, pools, etc.)
  
• Steer clear of metal equipment, such as tractors
  
• Avoid open vehicles, such as motorcycles, bicycles and golf carts
  
• Don't use golf clubs or metal baseball bats
  
• Don't stand under a small isolated shed or other small structure in open areas
  
• If you feel your hair stand on end, you are in immediate danger of being struck. Crouch down as low as you can with as little of your body touching the ground