Thunderstorm Safety

5/2/2019 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can be very dangerous if we are not prepared.

All thunderstorms are dangerous, and every thunderstorm produces lightning. "While lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top three storm-related killers in the United States. People struck by lightning often report a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms." According to the researchers at The Weather Channel.

How do you prepare for a thunderstorm?

According to ready.gov, "To prepare for a thunderstorm, you should do the following:

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
• Postpone outdoor activities.
• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
• Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
• Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades or curtains.
• Unplug any electronic equipment well before the storm arrives."

Finally it is important to familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify a thunderstorm hazard:

Severe Thunderstorm Watch - Tells you when and where severe thunderstorms are likely to occur.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning - Issued when severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property to those in the path of the storm.

Water, and fire damage call both happen during a thunderstorm event.  SERVPRO of LaGrange Park/North Riverside is here to help. Give us a call at 708-240-4873 for all your restoration needs.