What about after the storm?

After lightning has struck, there is nothing more important than seeing to the safety and needs of your loved ones. But sometimes people are afraid to touch a lightning victim.

Once lightning has struck a person or even an object, however, the person or object does not carry a charge and cannot harm you. Although lightning is electrical, it is not like a house current.

How To Help Injured Others

  • Administer First Aid immediately and call 911.
  • Check for breathing and for a pulse. If there is none, begin to administer CPR.
  • A lightning victim often suffers severe burns in two places on the body: where the bolt entered and where it exited. Expect to find more than one injury.

Beware Of Hazards

  • Avoid downed power lines. Keep children and pets far away.
  • To prevent accidental fires, use flashlights, not candles to see if power is on or off after a storm. (More people die as a result of fires caused by candles than from the actual impact of the disaster itself.)
  • Keep pets on a leash.
  • Assess Psychological Effects
  • In addition to the obvious physical damage, lightning can sometimes cause emotional trauma and distress. Crisis counseling can help.
  • Should you or your family need or desire crisis counseling, contact your local American Red Cross Chapter for information about resources in your area.
  • Address your problems one at a time. Because you took responsibility, you protected your lives. The rest can be rebuilt.

Show All Answers

1. What are some of the facts about lightning?
2. Are you at risk?
3. What should I know about anticipate lightning?
4. How close is the lightning?
5. How will you be warned?
6. What should to do before lightning strikes?
7. What if a severe thunderstorm warning is in effect/issued?
8. What about after the storm?
9. What are some lightning myths?