Staying Safe From Thunderstorms on the Go | SERVPRO® of Reno Southwest

7/9/2020 (Permalink)

Enjoying the weather on beautiful days probably leaves thunderstorms as the last thing on your mind—but because they can feed off of humidity, they can pop up suddenly and disrupt an otherwise peaceful day.

Any thunderstorm has the potential to be dangerous, mainly due to lightning strikes, so we have assembled some easy tips to remember when sudden storms start up.

Easy Tips to Remember When Sudden Storms Start Up

Know your options for shelter. The best case scenario for a thunderstorm is to find out about it safely at home and be able to stay put until the threat passes—but when you are running errands or on a trip, this is not always a viable option. You can take shelter in your car during a thunderstorm as long as you follow recommended guidelines like turning off the engine and avoiding contact with metal.

Practice electrical safety. When lightning strikes a structure, it is looking for the easiest route to get to the ground—which is oftentimes the electrical system. As the current travels through these wires, the charge can transfer to any electronic that is plugged in, potentially ruining it. If you are in a building and a storm is on the way, you can unplug everything to be as safe as possible, and in general, it is best to use surge protectors on every outlet.

Avoid direct contact with concrete. Concrete buildings are extremely resilient, but this is due in part to the metal that is used within the structure to reinforce it—which presents a lightning risk. If a concrete building is struck by lightning, the metal can disperse a charge through the walls. If you do end up sheltering in a concrete space, be sure to avoid directly touching the walls or the floor to reduce your risk of shock.

Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. When your day is derailed by a sudden storm, you will want to resume your activities as quickly as possible. However, be sure it is safe before you do so. Lightning strikes have been reported as much as 25 miles from the center of a storm, which is why experts recommend giving yourself a 30-minute buffer after the thunder subsides until going back outside.

If your home sustains damage due to a storm, you can count on us to help. Contact us at any hour to learn more about our storm restoration process.