'Electrical' Safety - Really Shocking stuff!
Safety is not confined to the home or the workplace. Disaster can strike, literary outside of these environments. Even when we are at leisure or play we must be on our guard for what nature flings at us.
Lightning
Here we are not talking about merely 120, 220 or 380 volts, but an electromotive force that measures into the millions of volts. So what precautions can mere mortals take against severe heavenly jolts :
- If you are out in a storm, go inside immediately. Do not think that if the thunder and lightning seem to be far off there is no danger near you.
- Stay away from windows and metal fittings, like plumbing or bare metal roofs.
- Don't take a bath or shower in any kind of stormy weather, and if caught, get away from the water pronto.
- Don't touch an ordinary telephone in a storm, for a nearby lightning strike can be transported through the communication wiring to you. Cellphones are perfectly safe as they work on radio beams.
- Ask a specialist firm to install proper lightning rods to protect your house from serious damage or injury to people inside. This goes for all homes, not just those with thatched or other exotic roofs.
- If caught outside in a storm, with no safe shelter nearby, do not lie down. Rather just sit, place your arms around your knees, bend your head forward and try to form the smallest target possible.
- Keep out of a tent or open-sided structure, especially one with a metal roof. Also stay clear of tall objects like radio masts, water towers or lonely trees
- Again it will be an advantage to know first aid, especially CPR. These skills have saved victims of a lightning strike.
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