What to do if caught in a thunderstorm

On July 17, a girl died and four men were injured in Yelnitsa village, Minsk district, after being struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree during a thunderstorm.

The greatest danger during a thunderstorm is being struck by lightning. To avoid it, you need to know how to behave during bad weather.

If a thunderstorm catches you:

in an apartment, house, or building:

· unplug all electrical appliances and remove the outdoor antenna plug from the TV, stop phone conversations

· close windows, doors, and chimneys to prevent drafts

· do not stand near windows, stoves, fireplaces, massive metal objects, on the roof or in the attic, do not touch heating appliances

· do not take a bath, shower, or wash dishes

outside:

· leave open spaces and enter any building

· do not touch walls. Stay away from any wires, do not approach lightning rods

· do not use a mobile phone. Do not stand near tall poles, power lines, trees, billboards, etc.

· do not run, cycle, ride a moped, motorcycle, or rollerblade

in a car:

· stop driving, stay in the car

· close windows, lower the antenna, turn off the engine, and wait out the thunderstorm inside the car

· do not touch door handles or other metal objects

· do not pick up a mobile phone

in the forest:

· stay away from tall, solitary trees, do not sit near a campfire, as a column of hot air is a good conductor of electricity. Lightning most often strikes oaks, poplars, and elms, less often birches and maples

· hide among low-growing trees with dense crowns. Also, when choosing a shelter, make sure there are no split trees nearby that have previously been struck by lightning. The soil in such an area has high electrical conductivity, and another lightning strike there is highly probable

in open terrain (in a field):

· do not stand on elevated ground, near power line supports, or under wires. Look for a ditch or ravine. If there are no depressions nearby, squat down in a fetal position, hugging your knees with your hands

· do not hide in haystacks, straw, or barns

· do not walk barefoot or hold shovels, hoes, scythes, or fishing rods above your head. These are conductive objects

on a body of water:

· get out of the water, move away from the shore, and find shelter

· if you are in a boat, immediately row to shore. If this is not possible, dry the boat, raise a protective awning, put on dry clothes, and place a life jacket or boots under yourself.

· fishing during a thunderstorm must be stopped, as fishing gear acts as a conductor for electricity