Be careful during thunderstorms

Lightning is a sudden electrostatic discharge that occurs typically during a thunderstorm. This discharge occurs between electrically charged regions of a cloud, between two clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.

This can lead to serious injury or, in extreme circumstances, death if it hits someone.

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Lightning Safety tips:

How to Avoid Getting hit by Lightning: Dos:

• Lightning often strikes the tallest object in the area during thunderstorms, so stay away from open fields or hilltops.

• Check weather forecasts daily and avoid going to a swimming pool, river, lake, or beach on rainy days and all other water spot activities.

• If you find yourself in open water during a thunderstorm, return to land immediately.

• Look for a low-lying area like a valley or gulley, preferably obscured from the rain. Take refuge until the storm passes.

• Crouch down with your heels touching and your head between your knees: this will make you a smaller target.

• If you are in a boat and cannot return to safety, drop anchor and crouch as low as possible.

• Turn off and stay away from wired electronics.

You umbrellas can increase your risk of getting hit if it is the tallest object in the area.

The Donts:

During thunderstorms, lightning can travel through water pipes if it strikes your home.

• Do not bathe or shower until the storm has passed.

• Do not swim or partake in water sports during thunderstorms.

• Indoor swimming is equally unsafe. Avoid all large bodies of water during thunderstorms.

• Do not lie down flat, always minimise your contact with the ground. Lightning can be fatal up to thirty meters away from the initial strike.

• Do not stand near or under the trees or tall isolated objects. These objects are more likely to be struck by lightning.

• Wherever you are, don’t become the highest object anywhere.

• Avoid using TVs, washing machines, and corded phones during thunderstorms.J

Warnings:

• Do not return to the body of water until thirty minutes after the last lightning strike.

• Lightning can, and often does, strike the same place twice. You are not safe just because lightning recently struck an area.

• If your hand stands up or you feel tingling during a thunderstorm, go indoors immediately. This sign means a lightning strike is imminent.

• You are within striking distance of lightning if you can hear thunder.

• Although cell phones are safe to use during thunderstorms, landline phones are unsafe.

• Most lightning deaths occur during the summer months when outdoor activity and thunderstorms reach a seasonal high.

• Stay away from pools when there is lightning or thunder.

Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) remains on high alert for any eventualities that might erupt as a result.

Communities affected by lightning strikes or any life-threatening emergencies are advised to call Emergency Life-threatening Call Centre immediately for swift intervention.

• In case of emergencies: call our direct line: (011) 458 0911, cell phone 112, or National emergency number 10177.

• Ensure that you have the emergency call centre contact numbers readily and clearly displayed for everyone to know and to use.

• Numbers should be saved and easy to access on your telephone or cellular phone.

• Speak clearly on the phone when reporting an emergency.

• Provide the operators with all the necessary details required.

• Do not end the conversation until all questions are answered.

Issued by William Ntladi the district manager for Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS)