Lightning and Thunderstorm Safety Tips

It's estimated that lighting strikes Earth nearly 100 times per second! This powerful force of mother nature is often paired with severe rain, hail and gale-force winds, creating a dangerous scenario for people caught in the path of a storm. But as long as you follow some basic safety precautions, you can wait out severe storms until they pass.

Thunderstorm Watch vs Warning: What's The Difference?

Many people assume that a thunderstorm watch and thunderstorm warning are the same, but this isn't the case. A thunderstorm watch is made when there's a "possible" thunderstorm in the area, whereas a warning is issued when severe weather has been reported or spotted on radar. So remember, warnings are more severe, and thus it's usually a good idea to seek shelter when you see or hear one.

Stay Away From Windows

The golden rule of storm safety is to avoid rooms with windows. Why is this important? Well, if the winds are strong enough, it could blow out the windows, sending pieces of glass flying into your home. Ideally, family members should go to the center of the home where they are no windows or exterior walls.

Tape Your Windows

You can give your windows a barrier of protection against blowouts by placing a couple pieces of masking tape across them in the shape of an X. It may seem insignificant, but a little tape will go a long ways in holding the glass together during a severe storm. This doesn't mean that it's OK to stay nearby just because your windows are taped up, but rather it will protect your windows by reducing the risk of storm damage.

Prepare and Emergency Kit

Do you have an emergency kit ready in case of severe weather? If not, you should! While minor storms will come and go without need for such kits, some of the more severe ones could leave you without power for long periods of time. I recommend creating an emergency kit, complete with a bandages, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, gauze, hydrogen peroxide, a hand-cranked radio, flashlight, extra batteries, waterproof matches, and a solar blanket. As the saying goes, it's better to be safe than sorry.