Severe+Weather

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** Personal Lightning Safety Tips **  // 1. ** PLAN ** in advance your evacuation and safety measures. // When you first see lightning or hear thunder, activate your emergency plan. Now is the time to go to a building or a vehicle. Lightning often precedes rain, so don't wait for the rain to begin before suspending activities.  // 2. ** IF OUTDOORS... **Avoid water. Avoid the high ground. Avoid open spaces. // Avoid all metal objects including electric wires, fences, machinery, motors, power tools, etc. __Unsafe places__ include underneath canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, or near trees. Where possible, find shelter in a substantial building or in a fully enclosed metal vehicle such as a car, truck or a van with the windows completely shut. If lightning is striking nearby when you are outside, you should:  // A. ** Crouch down **. // Put feet together. Place hands over ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder.  // B. ** Avoid proximity ** // (minimum of 15 ft.) to other people.  // 3.** IF INDOORS... ** Avoid water. Stay away from doors and windows. Do not use the telephone. Take off head sets. // Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment.  // 4. ** SUSPEND ACTIVITIES ** for 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder. //  // 5. ** INJURED PERSONS ** do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. // Apply First Aid procedures to a lightning victim if you are qualified to do so. Call 911 or send for help immediately. 6. ** // KNOW YOUR EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS. // ** ** Teach this safety slogan: ** ** "If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it." **

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