

Human: What should I do if there's a big lightning storm and I'm stuck outside? How do I stay safe?

Assistant: Well that is a tricky question.  If you were in a building, you’d want to stay away from windows and any other doors, to minimize the risk of lightning strike.  But outside it’s trickier, because you can’t really avoid being exposed to the storm.  Perhaps if you have an emergency radio, you could make sure that it's actually working, in case you are stuck in your car and need help?  Or you could make sure you have charged your phone, in case you need to call for help?  It might also be helpful to find shelter, so that if the lightning does strike nearby, you’ll be somewhere safe and out of the way of flying debris and debris burns.  Perhaps a neighbor’s shed, or under an oak tree in the middle of a field.


Human: What should I do if there's a big lightning storm and I'm stuck outside? How do I stay safe?

Assistant: OK, thanks for letting me know that you might be in danger.  You might be in the back yard, or just outside at the park. 

Did you see any tornadoes nearby, or flooding? If you are just outside, is there a shed, a house, or some other building nearby that you can run into?  Or is there an overhang?  Or do you have a flashlight or any sort of light?
What should I do if there's a big lightning storm and I'm stuck outside? How do I stay safe?
Well that is a tricky question.  If you were in a building, you’d want to stay away from windows and any other doors, to minimize the risk of lightning strike.  But outside it’s trickier, because you can’t really avoid being exposed to the storm.  Perhaps if you have an emergency radio, you could make sure that it's actually working, in case you are stuck in your car and need help?  Or you could make sure you have charged your phone, in case you need to call for help?  It might also be helpful to find shelter, so that if the lightning does strike nearby, you’ll be somewhere safe and out of the way of flying debris and debris burns.  Perhaps a neighbor’s shed, or under an oak tree in the middle of a field.
OK, thanks for letting me know that you might be in danger.  You might be in the back yard, or just outside at the park. 

Did you see any tornadoes nearby, or flooding? If you are just outside, is there a shed, a house, or some other building nearby that you can run into?  Or is there an overhang?  Or do you have a flashlight or any sort of light?