Key Indoor Lightning Tips
- Stay OFF corded phones. You can use cellular or cordless phones
- Don't touch electrical equipment or cords. Unplug electronic equipment before the storm arrives.
- Avoid plumbing. Do not wash your hands, take a shower or wash dishes.
- Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
What is a Safe Shelter?
A safe shelter is a building with electricity and/or plumbing or a hard topped vehicle with windows closed. Picnic shelters, dugouts, small buildings without plumbing or electricity are NOT safe.
Stay Safe While Inside
Stay off corded phones. You can use cell phones or cordless phones if they are not in a charger. Don't use computers or equipment directly connected to electricity, such as your stove. Stay out of the shower and away from other plumbing as well. You should also stay away from windows and doors. Small cracks in the frames can let lightning in.
Remember Your Pets
Dog houses are not safe shelters. Dogs that are chained to trees or chained to wire runners can easily fall victim to a lightning strike. Bring pets inside.
Protect Your Personal Property
In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from the actual strike. Typical surge protectors will NOT protect equipment from a lightning strike. The American Meteorological Society has tips for protecting your electronics from lightning. Do NOT unplug equipment during a thunderstorm as there is a risk you could be struck.
How Lightning Enters a House or Building
There are three main ways lightning enters homes and buildings:
- A direct strike
- Through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure
- Through the ground.
Regardless of the method of entrance, once in a structure, the lightning can travel through the electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio/television reception systems. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
