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<\/a>According to the National Weather Service, if you\u2019re outside while thunderstorms and lightning are occurring in your area, you should:<\/p>\n.\u00a0 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. Avoid isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.<\/p>\n
.\u00a0 Avoid natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.\u00a0 Seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small trees.<\/p>\n
.\u00a0 Avoid hilltops, open fields, the beach or a boat on the water.<\/p>\n
.\u00a0 If you\u2019re in a boat, get off the water.\u00a0\u00a0 Get to land and find shelter immediately.<\/p>\n
.\u00a0 Avoid contact with anything metal like motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.<\/p>\n
.\u00a0 Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.<\/p>\n
.\u00a0 If you are driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park. Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle. The steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.<\/p>\n
Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning.<\/p>\n
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All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.<\/strong> <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s summer time, the most likely time of year for surprise thunderstorms.\u00a0 All thunderstorms are dangerous and every thunderstorm produces lightning.\u00a0 Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors in the summer months during the afternoon and … Continue reading