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| Chestnut Ridge Chapter Lower Burrell Office 1816 Lincoln Avenue 2895-A Leechburg Road Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650 Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania 15068 Phone: (724)-537-3911 Phone: (724)-337-6595 Fax: (724)-539-9502 Fax: (724)-337-6599 E-Mail: crcredcross@covad.net E-Mail: newken@redcross.nidhog.net |
* Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes
of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of
thunder.
* If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm
to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately.
*Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or
television for the latest weather forecasts.
When a Storm Approaches...
*Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed and
avoid convertibles.
*Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug
appliances. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical
appliances. (Leaving electric lights on, however, does not
increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.)
*Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other
purpose.
*Turn off the air conditioner. Power surges from lightning can
overload the compressor, resulting in a costly repair job!
*Draw blinds and shades over windows. If windows break due to
objects blown by the wind, the shades will prevent glass from
shattering into your home.
If Caught Outside...
*If you are in the woods, take shelter under the shorter trees.
*If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter
immediately!
Protecting Yourself Outside...
*Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal
objects. Make sure the place you pick is not subject to
flooding.
*Be a very small target! Squat low to the ground. Place your hands
on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the
smallest target possible.
*Do not lie flat on the ground--this will make you a larger target!
After the Storm Passes...
*Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
*Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
If Someone is Struck by Lightning...
*People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be
handled safely.
*Call for help. Get someone to dial 9-1-1 or your local Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) number.
The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be
burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left
their body. Check for burns in both places. Being struck by
lightning can also cause nervous system damage, broken bones,
and loss of hearing or eyesight.
Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If
the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give
CPR. If the person has a pulse and is breathing, look and care
for other possible injuries. Learn first aid and CPR by taking a
Red Cross first aid and CPR course. Call your local Red Cross
chapter for class schedules and fees or visit us at the Health
and Safety link on this website for more information.
Your Local Red Cross Chapter Can Provide Additional Materials
in English and Spanish:
"Are You Ready for a Tornado?" (ARC 4457)
"Are You Ready for a Flood or Flash Flood?" (ARC 4458)
"Your Family Disaster Plan" (ARC 4466)
"Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit" (ARC 4463)
Materials for Children:
"Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book" (PDF File) (ARC 2200,
English, or Spanish) for children ages 3-10.
"Adventures of the Disaster Dudes" (ARC 5024) video and
Presenter's Guide for use by an adult with children in grades
4-6.
And remember . . . when a thunderstorm, earthquake, tornado, flood,
fire, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on
your local American Red Cross chapter to be there to help you and your
family. Your Red Cross is not a government agency and depends on
contributions of your time, money, and blood. For more information,
please contact your local American Red Cross chapter or emergency
management office.
If you would like permission to use the information about thunderstorms
on this page in a newsletter or other publication, or on your Website,
please e-mail us at: internet@usa.redcross.org
