How to behave during a thunderstorm can save your life. Evgeny Komavsky tells how to behave if a thunderstorm finds you at home, on the street, on a hike or on the beach
Summer this year began atypically. May thunderstorms almost completely moved to June. Until the end of the month, forecasters will "delight" us with storm warnings. Thunderstorms and heavy rainstorms will sweep across all regions of the country. The famous pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky reminds that a thunderstorm is not a joke. According to statistics, about 25 thousand people die every year from lightning strikes in the world. Therefore, correct behavior in such weather is a guarantee of your safety and actual protection from being struck by lightning. Remember what you can and cannot do during a thunderstorm.
The very first thing is to learn how to determine the approach of a thunderstorm and distinguish it from an ordinary downpour. There is a simple rule: a thunderstorm is always accompanied by thunder. Even if you do not see lightning yet, but hear dull rumbles, it means that a thunderstorm front is moving from somewhere. But when lightning is already flashing on the horizon, you can easily determine the distance to the thunderstorm.
If less than 30 seconds pass between the flash and the thunderclap, then you are practically in the epicenter of thunderstorm activity. Yevgeny Komarovsky emphasizes that this is the most dangerous time. Therefore, if you are at home, do not go outside. It is optimal to leave the premises after a thunderstorm 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
How to behave in a thunderstorm in an apartment
Don't go outside for half an hour after the thunderclap / istockphoto.com
When in an apartment or house, close all windows and balcony doors as a thunderstorm approaches. No matter how much you want to breathe in the fresh smell of ozone, remember: a thunderstorm can be accompanied not only by ordinary, but also by ball lightning. Despite the fact that there is still no explanation for this phenomenon in science, eyewitnesses say that an electric discharge clot is a thing that exists in nature and is quite dangerous.
Unplug all electrical appliances if possible. Thunderstorms often cause power surges, so a computer, TV or microwave oven can simply burn out. For a refrigerator, gas boiler and other units that it is not advisable to turn off, in such cases it is better to have an uninterruptible power supply. It is also not recommended to take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm: there is a possibility that lightning can strike the water supply system.
How to behave during a thunderstorm in the city
The safest shelter from a thunderstorm will be a car / istockphoto.com
If a thunderstorm caught you in the middle of the street, in no case should you run and rush in different directions. Walk calmly and along the way look for an enclosed space where you can hide. It can be a cafe, a bus stop, an underground passage, or even an entrance to an apartment building. Try to avoid wet concrete walls and metal fences. Stay away from street lights, antennas and power lines.
The best place to hide from thunderstorms in the city is your own car, emphasizes Dr. Komarovsky. Four rubber wheels provide reliable protection from electricity. The only thing that during a thunderstorm in a car must also be observed certain rules: it is advisable to stop the movement in the car, close all windows, lower the antenna and wait out the bad weather in the parking lot.
How to behave in a thunderstorm outdoors
A tree standing alone is most often struck by lightning / istockphoto.com
If you are relaxing in nature and see a thunderstorm approaching, the main rule is to leave the open area as soon as possible. Fields, glades, lawns, forest edges - these are the places that will pose the greatest danger during a thunderstorm. Gather up quickly and go in search of shelter. When doing this, also try not to run.
Under no circumstances choose a lonely tree as a shelter from a thunderstorm. Remember: the taller the tree, the more likely it is to be struck by lightning. The best place to hide is a lowland (pit, ravine, ditch) or thickets of bushes and low trees. When choosing a shelter, note that different trees conduct electricity differently. The best guides are pine, spruce, oak and poplar. Willow, maple and bushes conduct the least electricity
If a thunderstorm caught you during hiking trip, you do not need to continue moving in a dense group. Spread out and try to find cover. Remember that during a thunderstorm, do not stop in places where water flows, on the heights of cliffs or near steep slopes. If you are in a tent at this moment, you need to take into account that wet ground conducts electricity perfectly. Therefore, be sure to spread a layer of polyethylene under the tent (or at least under the place where you sit), as much clothes or dry branches as possible.
How to behave during a thunderstorm on the beach
Swimming and being on the beach in a thunderstorm is strictly prohibited / istockphoto.com
The beach is one of the most dangerous places during a thunderstorm. Firstly, it is often a large open space (and, as we remember, they should be avoided). Secondly, water in reservoirs passes an electric current. Therefore, swimming in a thunderstorm is strictly prohibited. If you are in the water, you urgently need to get ashore. After getting out of the water, immediately change into dry clothes and quickly leave the beach in search of shelter. It's good if your car is nearby. If there is no car, look for a lowland or a place with thickets of bushes and low trees.
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