This discharge occurs between electrically charged regions of a cloud, between two clouds, or between a cloud and the ground.<\/p>\n
This can lead to serious injury or in the extreme, death, if it hits someone.<\/p>
\u2022 Lightning safety tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n How to avoid getting hit by lightning:<\/strong><\/p>\n Do:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Lightning often strikes the tallest object in the area during thunderstorms, so stay away from open fields or hilltops.<\/p>\n \u2022 Check weather forecasts daily and avoid going to a swimming pool, river, lake, or beach on rainy days and refrain from water sport activities on rainy days.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you find yourself in open water during a thunderstorm, return to land immediately.<\/p>\n \u2022 Look for a low-lying area like a valley or gulley, preferably obscured from the rain. Take refuge in there until the storm passes.<\/p>\n \u2022 Crouch down with your heels touching and your head between your knees – this will make you a smaller target.<\/p>\n \u2022 If you are in a boat and cannot return to safety, drop anchor and crouch as low as possible.<\/p>\n \u2022 Turn off and stay away from wired electronics.<\/p>\n \u2022 Important: Umbrellas can increase your risk of getting hit if it is the tallest object in the area.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t:<\/strong><\/p>\n During thunderstorms, lightning can travel through water pipes if it strikes your home.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not bath or shower until the storm has passed.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not swim or partake in water sports during thunderstorms.<\/p>\n \u2022 Indoor swimming is equally unsafe. Avoid all large bodies of water during thunderstorms.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not lie down flat, always minimise your contact with the ground. Lightning can be fatal up to 30m away from the initial strike.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not stand near or under trees or tall isolated objects. Such are more likely to be struck by lightning.<\/p>\n \u2022 Wherever you are don\u2019t become the highest object.<\/p>\n \u2022 Avoid using TVs, washing machines, and corded phones during thunderstorms.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Coach dies, rower injured in lightning strike at Germiston Lake<\/a><\/p>\n Update: Rowing South Africa speaks following Germiston Lake tragedy<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Warnings:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Do not return to the body of water until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.<\/p>\n \u2022 Lightning can, and often does, strike the same place twice. You are not safe just because lightning recently struck an area.<\/p>\n \u2022 If your hair stands up or you feel tingling during a thunderstorm, go indoors immediately. This sign means a lightning strike is imminent.<\/p>\n \u2022 You are within striking distance of lightning if you can hear thunder.<\/p>\n \u2022 Although cellphones are safe to use during thunderstorms, landline phones are unsafe.<\/p>\n \u2022 Most lightning deaths occur during the summer months when outdoor activity and thunderstorms reach a seasonal high.<\/p>\n \u2022 Stay away from pools when there is lightning or thunder.<\/p>\n Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) remains on high alert for any eventualities that might occur as a result of a lightning strike.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Communities affected by lightning strikes or any life-threatening emergencies are advised to call the Emergency Life-Threatening Call Centre immediately for swift intervention.<\/p>\n \u2022 In case of emergencies: call 011 458 0911, 112 from a cellphone or the national emergency number 10177.<\/p>\n \u2022 Ensure that you have the emergency call centre contact numbers readily and clearly displayed for everyone to know and to use.<\/p>\n \u2022 Numbers should be saved and easy to access on your telephone or cellular phone.<\/p>\n \u2022 Speak clearly on the phone when reporting an emergency.<\/p>\n \u2022 Provide the operators with all the necessary details required.<\/p>\n \u2022 Do not end the conversation until all questions are answered.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong> or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\nUpdate: Netcare 911 responds to Germiston Lake lightning strike<\/a><\/h4>\n
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