Thunder and lighting precautions

5/23/2019 (Permalink)

 According to the weather.gov website,lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year and kills an average of 47 people each year. Do you know some of the suggested safety measures to take in the event of lightning? What structures are safe to seek shelter ? What measures can you take to ensure your safety, your family's safety and even your pets? Here are some safety suggestions and guidelines to follow:

• Do not use phones that are attached by cords, cell phones are safe alternatives.
• Do not touch T.V`s ,computers or cords but you can use remote controls correctly.
• Do not shower, wash your hands or do dishes. Avoid plumbing.
• Do not lean on exterior doors or windows that might have metal components that connect the outside to the inside .
• Do not use your balcony, carport, open garage areas ,porches and avoid lying on concrete flooring or leaning against concrete walls
• Do not leave your dog outside in it`s dog house, a dog house is not safe shelter and if the doghouse is chained to a tree, there is even a higher risk to your pet. BRING YOUR PETS INSIDE DURING A SEVERE STORM.
• Do not unplug your equipment during a storm. Typical surge protectors will not protect your equipment from a lightning strike.

 I guess grandma was right when she said get off the phone, do not shower and turn off the television when there would be a thunderstorm. I assumed she was being overprotective but she was right. Here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle we want our community to stay safe and follow precautions. Personal belongings and property can be replaced , lives can not.