Thunder storm is becoming much common in the country now, chances one unfortunately get caught in a lightning storm also increase proportionately, below is few of the steps you need to beware of in case you are in the situation.
If you are caught outside in a storm, always look for appropriate shelter. Do not take any chances, lightning can use you as a path to the earth just as easily as it can use any other object. Appropriate shelter would be a building or a car.
If you do not have anywhere to go, then you should avoid taking shelter under trees.Trees attract lightning,put your feet as close together as possible and crouch down with your head as low as possible without touching theground.
Never lie down on the ground, If you are indoors, stay off the phone, If you must call someone, use a cordless phone if possible,when powerful enough lightning strikes the phone line, the strike will travel to every phone on the line (and potentially to you if you are holding the phone).
In the case of protecting your household appliances, it is in the bestinterest of yourself to turn off your computer since voltage spike can fry your circuit board if it is not protected by power surge adapter. It is critical to know that the sudden surge in voltage in our electric powercable grid has unforeseen destructive power to fry every sensitive electronic equipments in our household if no protective measure is in place.
If you happen to find refuge in a public shelter like bus stop, or a cover lamp post, please donot put yourself in contact with any conductors in that structure like steel or iron column, post ,etc. as there is a potential the high current can use your body as medium to reach the groundif lightning strike that structure, always avail yourself to insulator if it is possible.
Last but not least, do not get fool by the beautiful sight of lightning as the photo shown, ignorance on your part can cost your life.