Before

• Prepare an emergency kit with essential items for safety and survival.
• Secure your house; carry out repairs; don’t leave sharp objects loose.
• Secure outside objects that could blow away and cause damage.
• Remove rotting trees/broken branches that could fall and cause injury or damage.
• Listen to radio, watch TV or read newspapers for weather updates and warnings.

During

• Keep a watch on local weather updates and warnings.
• Try to stay indoors; stay off verandas.
• Unplug all electrical equipment. Don’t use corded telephones. Use your batteryoperated radio for news updates.
• Don’t touch plumbing and metal pipes. Do not use running water.
• Stay away from structures with tin roofs/ metal sheets.
• Don’t take shelter near/under trees
• Stay put if you are inside a car/bus/covered vehicle
• Don’t use metallic objects; stay away from power/telephone lines.
• Get out of water - pools, lakes, small boats on water bodies - and take safe shelter immediately.
• Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tyres provide NO protection from lightning
• Avoid rubbing your eyes in order to prevent eye infection, which is common during this season.
• Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the inside of the nostrils to prevent drying of your mucous membranes.

After

• Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
• Listen to local radio/TV stations for updated information or instructions on weather and traffic updates.
• Help children, women, elderly and differently-abled.
• Stay away from fallen trees/power lines and report them to nearest Tehsil/District HQ immediately.

For Animals

• Designate a safe area in or near your house to shelter your animals in a severe thunderstorm.
• Keep your animals away from open water, pond or river.
• Keep your animals away from tractors and other metal farm equipment.
• Don’t allow your animals to congregate under trees.
• Watch your animals closely and try to keep them under your direct control.