How To Stay Safe In A Storm

Illawarra Mercury

Tuesday January 27, 2004

UNIVERSITY of Wollongong associate professor Ted Bryant has this advice during an electrical storm:

Lightning seeks ground so don't stand in an open paddock, no matter how far away storm looks.

Don't stand under a tree. The bolt goes through the rootlets and if you are standing on the rootlets the electricity can be conducted through the body.

A sure sign you are about to be struck by lightning is your hair will stand on end. If that happens drop to the ground and roll yourself into a ball. Don't lay down flat on the ground, curl up in fetal position.

If you are out in the open during a storm head for your car and start it. A car has the wrong charge to conduct electricity during a thunderstorm.

About 50 per cent of lightning strikes occur indoors so never stand near appliances, don't touch electrical switches and never talk on a phone during a storm.

The State Emergency Service advises:

Move your car under cover or away from trees.

Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.

Keep clear of fallen power lines, creeks and storm drains.

Unplug computers and appliances.

Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.

For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132500.