Red Cross Urges Thunderstorm Preparedness

t's summertime, and that means it's thunderstorm season here in Pennsylvania.

To help residents stay safe when the weather turns nasty, the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley has issued a list of severe thunderstorm preparedness tips to keep in mind.

Of utmost importance, the Red Cross says, is to protect yourself from lightning strikes, which annually kill about 100 people in the United States.

To stay safe from dangerous lightning, the organization advises doing the following:

• Listen for the sound of thunder and keep an eye on changing skies.
• If you hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by lightning. Seek shelter and remain sheltered until 30 minutes after you stop hearing thunder. If you have time to do so safely, secure lawn furniture, decorations and other outdoor items that could be tossed around by high winds.
• Seek shelter in building or a car, but avoid convertibles and other open craft.
• If you are inside during a storm, unplug appliances and avoid using telephones and touching metal pipes that could conduct electricity if your house is struck by lightning.
• Avoid taking a bath or shower during a thunderstorm, as water is an excellent conductor of electricity.
• If you are caught outside during a storm, go to a low-lying place away from trees, poles or metal objects. If you are in the woods, seek shelter under shorter trees, and if you're on a boat or swimming somewhere, make your way to shore immediately and find shelter.

If you are with someone who has been struck by lightning, you should call 911 or your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number immediately. If the person struck has no heartbeat, a trained person should administer CPR while you await the arrival of first responders.

The Red Cross advises that "people struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely," so there is no need to fear self-electrocution when attempting to administer aid to a lightning strike victim.

For further information about severe thunderstorm preparedness, visit www.redcrosslv.org.