Lightning always seeks the highest point, explains Joakim Jonsson, electrical expert at the Fire Protection Association. Therefore, one should avoid places where one becomes the closest point for the lightning to strike.
One should not be out on, for example, a football field. Nor should one seek shelter under a tree, he says.
Best is to go into a house, he explains. There, one is not the highest point, there is a roof above.
Avoid water
Bathing is not a good activity when it is lightning, neither in the lake nor indoors.
Water conducts electricity. One should therefore also wait to shower until the lightning is over, says Martin Gustafsson, inspector at the Electrical Safety Authority.
The old advice that a car's rubber tires protect against lightning, they do not give much for.
It's a myth. But the protection in a car is roughly the same as indoors, one is no longer the highest point, says Joakim Jonsson, and Martin Gustafsson is on the same line.
Electric car charging
If the car is powered by electricity, it's smart to pull out the plug, because electric cars do not have much better lightning protection than other electrical appliances, explains Martin Gustafsson.
Pull out the plug from everything you like. Also pull out things that are charging, and don't forget to check the kids so they don't sit and charge phones or tablets, he says.
It has also been said since ancient times that one should not talk on the phone in a thunderstorm, but that only applies to landline phones, mobile phones are okay, they explain.
There are no requirements for lightning protection in either villas or apartment buildings, but the one who owns a house does well to ensure that there is lightning protection and surge protection, as well as earth fault circuit breakers, they think.
Lightning protection for the electrical central unit does not cost that much, maybe five to ten thousand kronor. Most vulnerable are houses in solitary locations that are open, says Joakim Jonsson.
Martin Gustafsson also tips to clean around the electrical central unit, so that there is no flammable debris there that can easily catch fire.
If the lightning has struck, be careful to check - look, smell and listen. A fire can smolder for several days. If fuses have blown - check why they have blown, he says.
Corrected: In an earlier version of the text, there was an incorrect description of an old advice against lightning.
When the lightning passes – skip such things as bathing, fishing, and boat trips, since water conducts electricity.
Refrain from going up on mountains or high places.
Stay indoors.
Houses in concrete provide the best protection.
Pull out plugs from electronics and electric cars. Do not charge your mobile phone.
Do not use the computer with the power cord in.
Do not use a landline phone.
Source: Fire Protection Association
