Take these precautions during thunderstorms:

 Take action now

 If caught outdoors

seek shelter in a 'hard-top' (metal-bodied) vehicle or solid building but avoid small open structures or fabric tents

never shelter under small groups of (or single) trees

if far from shelter, crouch (alone, feet together), preferably in a hollow. Remove metal objects from head/body. Don't lie down flat but avoid being highest object

if your hair stands on end or you hear 'buzzing' from nearby rocks, fences, etc, move immediately. At night, a blue glow may show if an object is about to be struck

don't fly kites or model aeroplanes with control wires

don't handle fishing rods, umbrellas or golf clubs etc

stay away from metal poles, fences, clothes lines etc

don't ride horses, bicycles or travel in open vehicles

if driving, slow down or park away from trees, power lines etc. Stay inside metal-bodied (hard top) vehicles or caravans but don't touch any metal sections

if swimming, surfing etc, leave the water immediately

if boating, go ashore to shelter as soon as possible

be sure the mast and stays of a sailing boat are adequately 'grounded' to the water

If you are indoors

before the storm arrives, disconnect external aerial and power leads to radios and television sets. Disconnect computer modems and power leads

draw all curtains and keep clear of windows, electrical appliances, pipes and other metal fixtures (eg don't use the bath, shower, handbasin or laundry/kitchen sinks)

avoid the use of fixed telephones. In emergencies, make calls brief, (don't touch any metal, brick or concrete) and don't stand bare foot on concrete or tiled floors

First Aid

apply immediate heart massage and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (CPR) to lightning victims until medical help arrives and they will have a good chance of survival. (You won't receive a shock from the victim.)

Lightning - Facts and Myths

when struck, people do not glow or 'fry to a crisp' but the heart and breathing are often affected

only about 30% of people struck actually die, and the incidence of long-term disability is low, particularly when appropriate first aid is applied promptly

if your clothes are wet, you are less likely to be seriously injured if struck, as most of the charge will conduct through the wet clothes rather than your body

average lightning bolts carry a current of 10,000 to 30,000 amps. An average radiator draws 10 amps

lightning can, and often does, strike more than once in the same place

worldwide, thunderstorms are producing approximately 6,000 lightning strikes every minute!