Thunderstorms at Night: Staying Safe When the Lights Go Out
Simple safety advice for storms after dark, from where to shelter to how to use a torch and phone sensibly.
Storms often knock out power, and being in the dark adds to the worry. A few sensible steps keep you safe.
Indoors is safest
Lightning is dangerous. During a thunderstorm:
- Stay indoors in a sturdy building.
- Stay away from windows and doors.
- Avoid plumbing and water, such as showers and baths, because lightning can travel through pipes.
- Avoid using wired electrical appliances and landline phones.
- Unplug sensitive electronics if you can do so safely before the storm arrives, to protect against surges.
Waiting after a strike
A common rule is to wait about 30 minutes after the last thunder before going outside, since lightning can strike some distance from the storm.
If the power goes out
- Get a torch and use it to move safely.
- Avoid candles if you can. Battery lights are safer, especially in wind or draughts.
- Keep your phone charged for emergency calls and updates.
- Switch off appliances that were running, to avoid a surge when power returns.
- Leave one light switch on so you notice when power returns.
- Keep fridge and freezer doors shut to keep food cold.
Outdoors when a storm hits
If you're caught outside:
- Head for a building or a hard-topped vehicle.
- Avoid open ground, hilltops, isolated trees and water.
- Avoid metal objects like fences.
- If you're in a group, spread out so a single strike doesn't affect everyone.
After the storm
- Beware of fallen power lines. Stay well away and report them.
- Watch for flooded roads and debris.
- Use your torch to check for damage, but stay out of unstable structures.
- Check on neighbours, especially older people.
Using light
- Point your torch at the ground for safe movement.
- Do not use a torch near a gas leak. If you smell gas, leave the building and call your gas provider or the emergency services from outside.
- Save battery, as the outage could last for hours.
Be prepared
Keep torches, spare batteries and a charged power bank where you can find them in the dark. A torch app you can open with one tap adds a handy backup.
Night Torch
A simple, reliable flashlight app for night-time use
More about Night Torch
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