What to Do at Home During a Thunderstorm Warning (2024)

FAQs

What to do at home during a thunderstorm? ›

Stay away from glass windows and doors. Stay inside until weather forecasts indicate it is safe to leave. Lightning can be dangerous even when you are inside. Avoid using devices connected to electrical outlets.

Avoid showering, bathing, washing dishes, or doing laundry. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity. Avoid contact with metal objects (yard equipment, motorcycles, bicycles, etc.). Stay inside until at least 30 minutes after you last hear thunder or see lightning.

warning for thunderstorms, postpone your travel or trip or activity for end of thunderstorm. During a thunderstorm, avoid open vehicles such as convertibles, motorcycles, and golf carts. Be sure to avoid open structures such as porches, gazebos, baseball dugouts, and sports arenas.

Don't take a bath or shower, or wash dishes during a storm. It's essential that people in charge of organized outdoor activities understand the dangers of lightning and have a lightning safety plan. Don't be afraid to ask. If you hear thunder, it's time to get to a safe building or vehicle.

Avoid plumbing: Metal plumbing and the water inside are both very good conductors of electricity.

In general, basem*nts are a safe place to go during thunderstorms. However, there are some things to keep in mind. Avoid contact with concrete walls which may contain metal reinforcing bars.

Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder. Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment. Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

Myth: If you are in a house, you are 100% safe from lightning. Fact: A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity. This means staying off corded phones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, computers, plumbing, metal doors and windows.

Yes, you should turn off and unplug any non-essential appliances during a thunderstorm to prevent them from being damaged by a power surge. That includes the internet or any plugged-in electrical devices.

How do you prepare your house for a thunderstorm? ›

Prepare Your Home : Keep trees and branches trimmed near your house. If you have time before severe weather hits, secure loose objects, close windows and doors, and move any valuable objects inside or under a sturdy structure. Help Your Neighbor: Encourage your loved ones to prepare for severe thunderstorms.

Lessons to Learn: Being on the cell phone was NOT a problem. Being in contact with electricity from the cell phone charger IS a problem. Never be in direct contact with electricity during a thunderstorm.

If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up.

Not all types of buildings or vehicles are safe during thunderstorms. Buildings which are NOT SAFE (even if they are "grounded") have exposed openings. These include beach shacks, metal sheds, picnic shelters/pavilions, carports, and baseball dugouts. Porches are dangerous as well.

No; sitting on an open porch to watch a thunderstorm is dangerous. It is best to be in an interior room during a thunderstorm.

Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances. If lightning strikes, telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Leaving electric lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning. Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.

Even though your home is a safe shelter during a lightning storm, you might still be at risk. About one-third of lightning-strike injuries occur indoors.

There is NO SAFE PLACE OUTSIDE. Follow these safety rules: Immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building with electricity or plumbing or an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle with windows up. Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder.

If you're in a building or home that's struck by lightning, immediately call the fire department, even if you can't see or smell smoke. Firefighters have special equipment to detect heat signatures that can expose any fire that might exist.