Lightning warnings and their dangerous accidents we can hear from time to time in various countries. Lightning strikes are ordinary in many parts of the world during the rainy season. So if lightning strikes, it can be fatal. That is why we need to be especially careful during this time of lightning. It’s not really that hard. The only important thing is to follow the instructions we give.
Remember, lightning is an ampere current that drops from a cloud to the ground in about ten milliseconds. A lightning strike is about averages 300 million Volts and about 30,000 Amps. Then you can imagine why we need to take precautionary measures to protect ourselves from lightning and protect home appliances!
#1.Plugs & Sockets
When advising on lightning, do not use any computer, laptop, gaming console, hi-fi set, TV, or washing machine at home at that time. The high current can pass through electrical systems. You also want to consider the safety of these devices. The best thing to do is disconnect all of these devices from the plugs when you hear thunder. That means removing the wall socket immediately and setting it aside. If necessary, you can use a surge protector system.
But do not remove the fiber optic wires if available. They do not strike lightning and can damage by removing fiber optic cables.
#2. Phone Calls
Many people are generally afraid of making telephone calls during lightning strikes. Some people are talking on their mobile phones, and the call is cut off when lightning strikes. But this is the truth there. We have landlines. It says that using a landline during lightning strikes is quite unsafe. But when you talk on a mobile phone or a cordless phone, lightning does not strike. That is a myth. But one thing you must keep in mind. But mobile, cordless phones during lightning strikes and talking while charging can cause fatal accidents.
#3. Can I Ride Motorbike
That is to say, do not stay inside any vehicle that is open during a lightning strike. That means it is not safe to be in an open vehicle like a motorcycle or a golf cart. Is it safe to stay inside a covered car or van during a lightning strike? It is true. Staying inside a closed vehicle is not to say that lightning does not strike. Even a vehicle, can be struck by lightning. But the people inside the car or the van are much safer from that lightning. The real reason is the metal frame on the car. It works like a Faraday cage.
#4. Go Inside
When it comes to protecting yourself from lightning, the primary thing to do is to go inside. There is a famous statement, “When thunder roars, go indoors”. That is to say, go home as soon as you hear the first thunder as a sign of lightning. Sometimes the house is not even close to the house. Anyway, this is to go under a covered roof. Go inside includes anything like a home, an office, a shopping mall.
#5. Don’t Stay In an Open Area
If you are in a flat area, it is also something that can happen. If you are alone in the flat and open land and lightning strikes, you must go immediately to a covered area, where there is a roof. Especially if you are at the top of a mountain, like a rock, go down immediately. Get down and go somewhere inside.
What if we were alone outside with no place to go in now? Then do not go under a single tree. Don’t go under that rock; don’t even go under a hill since it is dangerous. Do not stay near ponds or lakes. Barbed wire fences, do not stay under the current wire, it is also dangerous.
If you are in a completely plain area, do not lie directly on the ground if you are the tallest thing there. It’s not going to work. Cover your head with your hands and move to a leaning position. But keep as little contact with the ground as possible.
#6. Keep Your Self Free
If you are at home on a rainy day, you will tend to do various activities. Sometimes in the kitchen, or in the bathroom, or in front of the television. However, you must try to avoid contacting with water. Water is a conductor. That’s why don’t go under the shower to bathe or cleaning when strikes lightning. Try not to use water for such purposes during the lightning. Experts advise not to wash even dishes, and not to do anything that might come in contact with water.
Experts say do not lie on a concrete floor or lean against a concrete wall when lightning strikes. Don’t forget that they have steel conductors. Lightning travels through any metal object, such as steel wire or steel rods. Also, do not stay by the windows, doors, or outside during lightning strikes.
When it is raining you can do plenty of things at home. I wrote an article on “Things You Can Do At Home On A Rainy Day”.
Also, it is vital to be aware of lightning to avoid lightning. That’s why if you read and learn more about lighting, you can take appropriate measures to safeguard yourself.
You can read more science & engineering related articles.
