Personal Lightning Safety Tips

1. PLAN in advance your evacuation and safety measures. When you first see
lightning or hear thunder, activate your emergency plan. Now is the time to
go to a building or a vehicle. Lightning often precedes rain, so don't wait
for the rain to begin before suspending activities.

2. IF OUTDOORS...Avoid water. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces.
Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors,
power tools, etc. Unsafe places include underneath canopies, small picnic or
rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial
building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van
with the windows completely shut. If lightning is striking nearby when you
are outside, you should:

A. Crouch down. Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing
damage from thunder.

B. Avoid proximity (minimum of 15 ft.) to other people.

3. IF INDOORS... Avoid water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use
the telephone. Take off head sets. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from
appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior
electric and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment.

4. SUSPEND ACTIVITIES for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or
thunder.

5. INJURED PERSONS do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled
safely. Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are
qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately.

6. KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS.
Teach this safety slogan:
"If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it."

Please reprint & distribute.
Prepared by the
National Lightning Safety Institute, Louisville, CO.