With this unpredictable stormy weather, we have been witnessing quite a lot of news where people are losing their lives due to lightning strikes in so many ways. We might be thinking what are the odds for someone to lose a life by a lightning strike? But our daily routine is quite a factor that could increase the chances. Let us learn some safety hacks to keep ourselves safe and sound during a bad weather.
Image Credit: Forbes
Do not take a shelter under a tree or elevated areas
When it is raining heavily or if you notice signs of lightning, trees or elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks might look like places to seek shelter. But believe us; it is deadlier than you think. Stay away from tall structures, such as electrical and telephone poles. Lightning tends to strike the tallest object around. If you are caught in an open area, crouching or getting low to the ground can reduce your chances but it is still safe to seek shelter in your home or buildings near you. Remember the phrase, “When thunder roars, go indoors.”
Image Credit: Readers Digest
Do not charge your phone
It is actually obvious that we should stay away from high electricity flow during rainy weather but some of us are still stubborn to charge our phones during thunder. Basically, the lightning strikes the area near the electric wiring cable, it may cause the cable to burn or explode thereby impacting excessive charge flow to the nearest house. If we use our mobile phones while it is charging or other electrical equipment, electric shock can occur which can cause death from the lighting debris on an electric cable. So it is recommended for you to charge your phone beforehand just in case of a possibility of a bad weather.
Image Credit: SciencePhoto
Avoid water
Lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing. So do not bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during thunderstorm. The risks of lightning travelling through plumbing might be less with plastic pipes than with metal pipes. However, it is best to avoid any contact with running water and plumbing during a lightning storm to reduce your risk of being struck. Also, if you happened to be on an open boat, return to the shore immediately when a thunderstorm rolls in.
Weather can be really unpredictable. We can’t stop it but we can avoid it. In order to stay safe, check the weather forecast before participating in any outdoor activities. If the forecast calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity immediately or make sure there is suitable safe shelter readily available.
