Safety Division

Corey Ratzlaff Safety Director

Thunderstorm

SAFETY 2.0

As I write this article on April 11, 2023, it is 54 degrees with a forecasted high of 83. Spring has sprung, and with spring comes thunderstorm season in Kansas. Every state has some type of severe weather, and Kansas certainly has its share. In 2022, there were 974 weather- related deaths and 1667 weather related injuries in the United States. Winter weather, heat, and floods were the main causes of these deaths. Dangers of thunderstorms include lightning, tornadoes, strong winds, hail and flash flooding. Flash flooding is responsibleformorefatalities (more than 150 annually) than any other thunderstormassociated hazard. There are thingsyoucan donow inthe way of preplanning to help you prepare for a thunderstorm.

To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit. Anemergencykitshould containwater(onegallonper person per day for three days), food (a three day supply), radio (battery or hand cranked), flashlights, first aid kit, local maps, manual can opener, wrench or pliers (for turning off utilities), whistle for alerting emergency responders, dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape, moist towelettes and garbagebags.Downloadyour favorite weather app to keep you informed before, during, and after the storm. Make a family communications plan. Knowinadvancewheretogo for shelter, how family members will contact one anotherandhowyouwillget back together after the storm has passed. Cancel or postpone outdoor activities if a thunderstorm is forecasted. Use the 30/30 rule when it comes to lightning: Go indoors when seeing lightning if you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder after.

Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder. Remove dead trees and branches that couldfallandcauseinjuryor damage during a severe thunderstorm. Secureobjects outdoors that could blow away or cause damage. Go inside a house, building, or automobile (not a convertible). Thesteelframe of a vehicle provides some protection if you are not touching metal. Shut windows or close window blinds, shades and curtains. Unplug any electronic equipment well before the stormarrives.

After the thunderstorm arrives, use your batteryoperated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials. Make sure cell phoneshaveabackupbattery or a way to charge your cell phone to help keep you informed during the storms. Avoid contact with corded phonesanddevicesincluding those plugged in for recharging. Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers, and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can causeseriousdamage. Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Donotlieonconcretefloors, and do not lean against concrete walls. Avoid naturallightningrodssuchas atall,isolatedtreeinanopen area. Avoid hilltops, open fields, the beach or aboat on the water. Take shelter in a sturdybuilding. Trytoavoid isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas. Avoid contact with anything metal such as tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles. If you are driving, trytosafelyexittheroadway and park your vehicle. Stay inthevehicleandturnonthe emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.

After the storm passes remember to never drive through a flooded roadway. Stay away from stormdamaged areas to keep from putting yourself at risk from the effects of severe thunderstorms. Continue to listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or to local radio and television stations for updated information or instructions, as access to roads or some parts of the community may be blocked. Helppeoplewhomayrequire special assistance, such as infants, children and the elderly or those with access or functional needs. Stay away from downed power lines, and report them immediately.

If someone has been struck by lightning, administer first aid. Ifthevictimhasstopped breathing, begin mouth-tomouth resuscitation. If the heart has stopped, administer CPR. If the victim has a pulse and is breathing, look for other possible injuries. Check for burns where the lightning entered and left the body. Also be alert for nervous system damage, broken bones and loss of hearingandeyesight. Many of the items I have written about are common sense items, and you probably already knew about mostofthem. Youmaywant to review these items with your children and grandchildrenfortheirsafety.

Ace Hardware

Dave McCollum, ACE Manager

Ace has been selling water hoses, sprinklers, grass seed and fertilizer. Come check out our deals on all these springofferings!

Warmer days and barbecue season has arrived. We have an excellent line of Traeger grills for sale as well as pellets, sauces, and other neededBBQsupplies. Check out the Blackstone griddles when you stop in, they are starting to move. New this year are Halo grills, griddles and even a pizza oven. They wouldbeanexcellentgiftfor the grill master in your family!

Come see our Ben Moore, Clark Kensington, Royal and more paints. It’s not too early to be thinking about thoseexteriorpaintprojects!

Milwaukee pack outs, power tools and hand tools are big sellers. These high quality, professional grade tools are strong sellers for a reason. Milwaukee tools are made very well and are backed withaterrificwarranty.

Forthoseofyouwhoneedto get some fencing done- we have creosote posts in popular sizesof4½to8inches. Alsoin stock are t posts in common lengths, and Red Brand 2 point wireforthosefencingprojects. As always, thanks for making Ace the place to get your warm summerseasonbuyingdone!