Question: Am I in danger in my home while on the phone or in the shower during a thunderstorm?

Answer: Yes according to the National Weather Service Web site. Here are tips for outdoor and indoor safety:

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm

• Indoor Activities: Things to Avoid: Inside buildings, stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Stay away from indoor or outdoor pools, tubs, showers and other plumbing. Buy surge suppressors for key equipment. Install ground fault protectors on circuits near water or outdoors. When inside, wait 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before going outside again.
• Outdoor Activities: Minimize the Risk of Being Struck: Most lightning deaths and injuries occur in the summer. Where organized outdoor sports activities take place, coaches, camp counselors and other adults must stop activities at the first roar of thunder to ensure everyone has time to get a large building or enclosed vehicle. Leaders of outdoors events should have a written plan that all staff are aware of and enforce.

Linda Niemi

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