Be prepared. Check the weather before participating in outdoor activities. If thunderstorms are forecast, change plans or ensure that a safe shelter is nearby.
If inside during a thunderstorm, do the following:
- Stay off corded phones. Cell phones and cordless phones are okay.
- Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers or other electronic equipment.
- Stay out of the shower and away from other plumbing. This includes washing dishes.
- Stay away from windows and doors.
If outside during a thunderstorm, do the following:
- Seek shelter immediately.
- Do NOT lie on the ground or shelter under a tree.
- If no shelter is nearby, crouch down into a ball-like position with your head tucked and hands over your ears and your feet closely together
For more information about lightning safety, visit the lightning safety tips page.
A safe shelter is a fully enclosed vehicle or a shelter that has four walls and a roof. Examples of safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up. Open vehicles (such as convertibles, golf carts, and motorcycles) and open structures (such as porches, gazebos, baseball dugouts, and sports arenas) are NOT safe during a storm.
Yes. Even if you don’t see rain, you could still be at risk for a lightning strike. Lightning often strikes outside areas of heavy rain and can strike as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Many lightning deaths occur ahead of storms or after storms seemingly have passed. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you might be in danger of a lightning strike.
Yes. Lightning can strike the same place twice. In fact, lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially a tall, pointy, isolated object. For example, the Empire State Building is hit by lightning about 23 times a year.
