Thunderstorms bring a wide range of threats. These include hail, lightning, strong winds and heavy rainfall. All of these hazards can result in property damage, injuries or fatalities. React immediately when you first see lightning, hear thunder or are given some other warning. There are a few simple precautions that you can take to protect yourself.
If you are indoors:
Stay indoors when a thunderstorm strikes.
Large hailstones can shatter windows, so stay away from windows, skylights and doors.
Do not use the phone during the storm, and do not contact metal objects like radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or other potential conductors of electricity.
If the storm is safe distance away, close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent the wind from blowing broken glass inside, and consider unplugging televisions and other electrical appliances that do not have surge protectors.
If you are outdoors:
Move immediately to a place of shelter. Go to a building or vehicle. Large enclosed structures tend to be much safer than smaller open structures.
Avoid water, high ground, isolated trees, picnic shelters and open spaces.
If lightning strikes when you are outside, crouch down and put your feet together. Minimize your contact with the ground, and do not lie down. Cover your ears to reduce the threat of hearing damage from thunder.
If you are in a vehicle:
Stop the car safely at the side of the road and stay there.
Completely close all windows and do not touch any metal objects.
Become familiar with your community’s severe weather warning system. Every member of your family should know what to do when a severe weather watch or warning sounds. Learn about your disaster safety plans in the workplace and at your children’s school and/or childcare centre.
Create a family disaster safety plan. Assemble a disaster safety kit. Together, identify escape routes from your home and neighbourhood. Choose an emergency meeting place for the family. Be prepared!
The Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
Toronto Office 20 Richmond Street East, Suite 210, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2R9 Tel: (416) 364-8677 Fax: (416) 364-5889
London Office Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory University of Western Ontario 1151 Richmond Street, London, Canada N6A 5B9 Tel: (519) 661-3234 Fax: (519) 661-4273
