Staying Safe during the Rainy Season

The rainy season is upon us once again. While weappreciate the rain & what it can do for the valley,precautions should be taken to ensure safety for you andyou co-workers.

Lightning Safety

When thunder roars, go indoors. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough tobe struck by lightning. There is no place outside that is safe from a lightning strike.Remaining indoors for 30 minutes after seeing the last lightning and hearing thelast thunder will eliminate the risk at the end of storms.

If fewer than 30 seconds elapse between the time you see a flash and hear thethunder, then the flash is less than 6 miles away. Research has shown that themost successive flashes are within 6 miles, which means that you should havereached a safe place if lightning is less than 6 miles away. However, lightning maystrike up to 10 miles away from the parent storm.

If someone is struck by

lightning, call 112, 108

immediately.

Indoor Safety

Never touch wiring during a thunderstorm. It's too late to unplug electronics if thunder is heard.

Corded phones are dangerous during thunderstorms. Lightning traveling through telephone wires has killed people. Cell phone and cordless phones are safe.

Wait to use any plumbing-sinks, showers, tubs, and toilets. Plumbing can conduct electricity from lightning strikes from outside.

Unplug expensive electronics including TV, stereo, home entertainment centers, and computers modem lines. Stop playing video games connected to the TV.

Outdoor Safety

No place outside is safe from lightning during a thunderstorm.When a storm approaches go to a nearby large substantialbuilding or a fully-enclosed metal-topped vehicle. Bring petsindoors. Lightning and thunder are very scary for pets, & they arelikely to panic or even run away to try & escape the storm.

Slips & Falls

Wear appropriate footwear with solid support and slip resistant soles.

Don’t be in a hurry; avoid slipping on wet sidewalks or walkways by taking slow, short steps.

Avoid walking through puddles no matter how shallow they appear.

Avoid using wet stairs; use the elevator during the rainy season.

If you do use the stairs, never walk the stairs with your hands in your pockets, and always use the handrails.

Be alert to water that may be tracked in around doorways; be a leader in safety by cleaning up wet hazards.

Make sure that there are entry matt’s in the doorways so workers can dry their feet before entering.

While Driving

Give yourself more time for heavy traffic due to rain.

Obey the speed limit and drive slower in the rain; the roads are very slickwhen wet!

Maintain an extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

Make sure that the windshield wipers are in proper working order; changethe wiper blades before the rainy season arrives.

While Driving

Make sure that the defroster is in proper working order; keep the dash clear soas to not block the defroster.

Turn on your headlights while driving during rainy weather.

Do not drive around road barricades; they are there for your safety, the road orbridge may be washed out.

Avoid driving into flooded areas; if your vehicle stalls in rapidly risingfloodwaters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

Be prepared at home-have these things onstandby

Three gallons of water FOR EACH PERSON AND PET in clean, closed containers

First aid kit

A stock of food that requires no cooking or refrigeration

Portable and working battery-operated radio, flashlights, and extra batteries

(Candles and oil lamps are fire hazards)

Necessary medications

Stay indoors, keep your pets indoors, too. It is the safest place for everyone.