LIGHTNING SAFETY WEEK TODAY TOPIC IS SAFE SHELTERS AND INDOOR SAFETY

LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK...

...TODAYS TOPIC IS SAFE SHELTERS AND INDOOR SAFETY...

A HOUSE OR OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUILDING OFFERS THE BEST PROTECTION
FROM LIGHTNING. HOW THE BUILDING CONDUCTS A LIGHTNING STRIKE IS
IMPORTANT. ON THE OUTSIDE LIGHTNING CAN TRAVEL ALONG THE OUTER SHELL
OF THE BUILDING AND MAY FOLLOW METAL GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS TO THE
GROUND. INSIDE...LIGHTNING CAN FOLLOW CONDUCTORS SUCH AS ELECTRICAL
WIRING...PLUMBING AND TELEPHONE LINES.

AVOID UNSAFE SHELTERS SUCH AS OPEN SHELTERS ON ATHLETIC FIELDS...
GOLF COURSES...PARKS...ROADSIDE PICNIC AREAS AND SCHOOL YARDS.
A SHELTER THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN PLUMBING OR WIRING THROUGHOUT...
OR SOME OTHER MECHANISM FOR GROUNDING FROM THE ROOF TO GROUND IS
NOT SAFE.

CORDED PHONE USE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF INDOOR LIGHTNING INJURIES
IN THE UNITED STATES. LIGHTNING CAN TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES IN BOTH
PHONE AND ELECTRICAL WIRES...ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS. STAY AWAY
FROM WINDOWS AND DOORS AS THESE CAN PROVIDE THE PATH FOR A DIRECT
STRIKE TO ENTER A HOME. BASEMENTS ARE GENERALLY SAFE FROM LIGHTNING
RISKS BUT AVOID CONTACT WITH CONCRETE WALLS WHICH MAY CONTAIN METAL
REINFORCING BARS.

REMEMBER TO BRING IN PETS AS WELL. DOGS THAT ARE CHAINED TO TREES OR
WIRE RUNNERS ARE NOT SAFE. DOG HOUSES ARE ALSO NOT SAFE.

PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY SHOULD ALSO BE CONSIDERED.
TYPICAL SURGE PROTECTORS WILL NOT PROTECT ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
FROM A LIGHTNING STRIKE. TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE...UNPLUG APPLIANCES
OR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT FROM ALL CONDUCTORS WELL BEFORE THE STORM
THREATENS.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...PLEASE CHECK OUR WEB PAGE DEDICATED TO
LIGHTNING INFORMATION AND SAFETY AT...

WWW.LIGHTNINGSAFETY.NOAA.GOV