Whenever it rains in western Kenya, i.e the region formerly known as Western, Nyanza and Rift Valley provinces, residents have to contend with more than just power outage and floods; lightning is always lurking behind the clouds, waiting for its chance to strike and kill people and animals and destroy property.Although lightning is an act of God, you nevertheless can lessen the risk of becoming its victim:
i). Fit all public buildings in high risk areas with anti-lightning devices
ii). Protect all structures more than 30 metres high or 10-storey buildings against lightning
iii). Don’t tie metallic strings and wires from trees to buildings
iv). Don’t carry pointed objects with their sharp tips pointing to the skyv). Plant trees that grow to at least 10 metres about 10 metres away from buildings to act as natural lightning arrestors
vi). Such natural lightning arrestors should be of soft ‘liquid’ barks, with long deep roots that do not spread out
vii). Reinforce the natural tree protection with electrical lightning arresters
viii). Protect all buildings of less than 10 metres high which accommodate many people with trees
ix). Avoid non-grounded structures with metal roofs and places near antennae and metal fences and metal clotheslines
x). Avoid open areas like lakes, fields and lone tall trees
xi). Leave the water as soon as it starts raining if you are a swimmer, surfer or boater
xii). Slow down or park away from trees and power lines if you are drivingxiii). If you must shelter under a tree do so only where there are many trees and only from those lowest in height
xiv). Squat or hug your knees if the rain catches you unawares in an open field or golf course far away from any building
xv). Crouch singly, preferably in a hollow with feet together
xvi). Remove metal objects from your head and body
xvii). Avoid being the highest object in the vicinity
xviii). Don’t fly kites or model airplanes with control wires
xix). Don’t handle long or metallic objects such as umbrellas, fishing rods or golf clubs in the openxx). Avoid contact with electrical conductors such as fireplaces, electronic gadgets or metal plumbing when indoors
xxi). Stay out of the shower or bathtub xxii). Avoid using the phone xxiii). Unplug computers, televisions and other appliances
xxiv). Disconnect external antennae and power leads to radio, television sets, computer modems and power sources
xxv).
Should any one be struck after taking precautions, check whether their heart is still beating then administer First Aid
xxvi). Apply artificial respiration if the victim is choking or losing breath
xxvii). Administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the victim without delay
#lightning #rain #weather #floods #poweroutage
