Lightning Safety Tips: For the public

Be prepared

Electrical conductors including power lines, tall objects, high places and bodies of water attract electricity and lightning. Metal items like golf clubs, fishing pole, and bicycles will conduct electricity so avoid using them when a storm approaches. Never get closer than 30 metres to metal fences and take off shoes that have metal cleats.

Have a lightning safety plan

Find a safe place where you can wait out the storm, preferably in a building or a vehicle. Keep a cell phone for emergencies. When you see lightning or hear thunder take shelter immediately. Maintain an emergency kit for your home or automobile with first aid supplies, battery powered flashlight, radio, food items and blankets, in the event of a major storm.

If you are involved in group activities outdoors ( with children at a summer camp, a golf game with friends etc.) an action plan should be established in advance for all persons involved. Management, event coordinators, organizations, and groups should designate a responsible, person(s) to monitor the weather to initiate the evacuation process when appropriate. Monitoring should begin days and even hours ahead of an event. Safer sites must be identified beforehand, along with a means to route the people to these locations.

Listen to the weather forecast

Be alert for Environment Canada weather warnings announced on radio or television; especially warnings of severe thunderstorms, which can produce lightning, rain, hail, strong winds, and even tornadoes.

Watch for severe weather

Keep an eye on the sky. Dark, heavy clouds in the afternoon of a warm spring or summer day can signal an approaching thunderstorm. Take precautions even if the thunderstorm is not directly overhead. Lightning may strike several kilometres from of the storm. If you see lightning or hear thunder you should take shelter immediately.

Seek shelter

In a building

Use a substantial and permanent structure, not a flimsy shelter.
In a vehicle

Lightning moves over the outer surface of metal objects, so you are safe inside an all-metal vehicle. But avoid touching anything metal inside, keep your hands in your lap! Don't park near trees or power lines that may collapse during the storm. If a power line falls on or near your vehicle, don't step outside! Smaller equipment (such as riding mowers, golf carts, utility wagons) are not safe and neither are convertibles because it is the outer body that offers protection and not the rubber tires!
In the open:

If you can't reach shelter, keep away from tall objects such as trees and towers. Stay clear of high ground and open fields. Seek shelter in low-lying areas such as valleys, ditches and depressions. Keep alert for flash floods in low-lying areas. If you're caught in a level field, crouch down, don't lie flat and put your hands over your ears to protect your hearing. If you are in a group, spread out, keeping several metres apart.
When Indoors:

Stay away from windows and doors and keep them closed. Avoid using tap water or the telephone and disconnect electrical appliances. Do not go back outside unless absolutely necessary.
After the storm:

Wait about 30 minutes to resume outdoor activities.

Help victims of lightning strikes

Call for immediate medical help! Victims may be suffering from burns or shock. Victims will not carry an electric charge and can be safely handled. If breathing has stopped, administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

Meteorological Service of Canada - Environment Canada - Government of Canada

Graphics : [Turn off] | Formats : [Print] [PDA]