Lightning, Indoor Safety Tips: Police

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
●Avoid water.
Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a
thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing.
●Don’t touch electronic equipment.
Do NOT use anything connected to an electrical outlet, such as computers, laptops,
washers, dryers or stoves. Lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and
television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
●Avoid windows, doors and concrete.
Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do NOT lie on concrete
floors or lean on concrete walls during a thunderstorm.
●Don’t use corded phones.
Corded phones are NOT safe to use during a thunderstorm. Do NOT use them.
However, it is safe to use cordless or cellphones.
In Zimbabwe five people have already died from lightning this rain season. More than
250 people in South Africa die after being struck by lightning annually.