Lightning Storm Safety - Ask The Expert with Greg Marcyniuk (Episode 184)

Greg discusses some tips on what not to do during a lightning storm in this episode of Ask The Expert. 800 CHAB radio presents Ask the Expert with Greg Marcyniuk of Heritage Insurance located in Moose Jaw.

Here's a full transcript of the episode.

Rob Carnie: While it is getting late in the season, there's still the risk of severe weather here on the prairies as we go into September. And Greg Marcyniuk from Heritage Insurance with some tips on lightning, things that we should never do during an electrical storm. Correct, sir? 

Greg Marcyniuk: That's right, Rob. In fact, lightning is the third most frequent cause of storm-related deaths. They actually result in about 30 deaths and several hundred injuries over a year. So, the things that you should never do is, first and foremost, is don't stand in the storm. You should either find places like closed porches, closed gazebos. Safe shelters also include homes, offices, shopping centers, as well as hardtop vehicles with the windows rolled up. 

If you are out in a park, you shouldn't stand in or around a tent or a pavilion because typically they do have metal around them and that can attract the actual lightning to that. You should never use your water, so you should never bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through the plumbing and electrify you. 

Another big one, which I see happen regularly out at the lake is going out boating. You know, when you're in a boat in the middle of an open water out in the lake, basically, you're a sitting duck to be struck by lightning and there's nothing around you outside. 

So, you're inside that vessel. It's made up of material and if lightning strikes there, your boat can be demolished. It can wipe out all your electrical, but first and foremost, it can kill you. So, again, get off that lake. The other thing you shouldn't be touching or standing near concrete structures because most concrete have rebar in them and rebar again is metallic and it will go in and it can electrocute you. 

The other thing is don't use electronics plugged into the wall. You shouldn't be using your TV, any sort of laptops, computers, washer, dryers, stoves, anything that is connected to an electrical outlet whatsoever, because lightning can travel through the electrical systems and it can electrocute you as well as fry your system. 

Something that I really do recommend for people is to have a surge protector installed in and on your electronics, just to help on that. The biggest thing, Rob, is the rule, the 30-30 Rule. And what that is is wait at least 30 seconds between counts as the thunder system or the storm system moves so that you've got 30 seconds after you've got past that 30-30 in between the two lightning strikes. 

You should be safe at that point. 

Rob: Certainly, some tips we should all take seriously, and we can find them and share them with our families and share them with our children when we go to your website. 

Greg: That's correct. Either https://www.NoHassleInsurance.ca or come on down the corner of First and Fairford West and we'd be more than happy to help you out. 

(Video transcription via SpeechPad)