“When thunder rolls, go indoors!” Good advice, but it doesn’t go far enough.

Here are a few other precautionary measures well worth heeding for your own safety leading up to and during a thunderstorm. A friendly reminder: even if lightning doesn’t occur, there’s always that chance. So, play it safe and assume the worst.

• Don’t take a bath or shower, or wash dishes. Electrical currents can travel through the plumbing pipes and put you at risk of electrocution.
• Avoid standing on concrete. The metal rebar or wire mesh that is often placed in concrete is a strong conductor of electricity.
• Don’t use a landline phone. Lightning can travel through a phone line, so use your cell phone but not when it’s plugged into a wall charger.

Get indoors.

Never stand out in the open during a thunderstorm. And yet if you are stuck outdoors, crouch down low with as little of your body touching the ground as possible.

Don’t stand under a tree.

Trees attract lightning as it makes its way to the ground. And yet, since people conduct electricity better than trees, lightning can jump from tree to person.

Keep away from windows.

Windows contain metal parts that attract lightning.

Unplug all computers.

During a thunderstorm, anything that’s plugged in is at risk of damage from an electrical power surge. To reduce that risk, unplug computers and other electronic gear you value. Even a surge protector may not stand up to the force of lightning.

Don’t use small appliances.

This is not the time to curl your hair, blend a smoothie, or whip up cake batter. An appliance plugged into an outlet during a storm can conduct lightning and harm you while you handle it.

Avoid doing laundry.

Not only are your washer and dryer metal, each is plugged into the wall. Should lightning strike nearby, you don’t want to be anywhere near them.

Here at PC Plumbing, Heating, AC & Remodeling, your comfort and safety are vitally important to us. More than that, there’s a great deal we can do to enhance your personal safety. During a heating or AC system inspection, for example, we inspect all electrical wiring to ensure it’s up to par and resistant not only to a lightning strike but also a home electrical fire. Contact us today to ensure your heating and cooling systems are operating as safely and efficiently as possible.