99TravelSafe.com
71 – Safety from Hailstorms!
The Website For The Smart and Savvy Traveler
HAIL can cause severe injury and/or death! It can also damage homes and cars!
DEEP Hail Safety;
Deep Hail is hail that has accumulated a foot deep or more, and/or is flowing!
If you are in an automobile, stay away from car windows.
Cover your eyes! If possible, get onto the floor face down, or lay down on the seat with your back to the windows!
Put very small children under you, and cover their eyes!
If you are in a building, stay inside. Don’t go into the basement. Stay away from windows, especially those being struck by hail.
Account for all family members, building occupants, pets, etc. Do not go outside for any reason.
Avoid using telephones and electrical appliances during a severe storm to avoid the danger of electrocution from lightning!
If you are in outdoors, keep away from areas with deep hail!
Try to find shelter from deep hail and lightning!
Stay out of culverts and lowland areas to avoid being swept away by water or deep hail!
LARGE Hail Safety;
Large Hail is hail that is larger than 3/4” in diameter.
If you are in an automobile, stop driving! If you can see a safe place close by to drive to, like inside a garage or under any fully enclosed structure or a carport, do so as soon as you can. Make sure you pull completely off the highway!
Do not leave the vehicle until it stops hailing! Your car will furnish reasonable protection.
Stay away from car windows! Cover your eyes with something (like a piece of clothing). If possible, get onto the floor face down, or lay down on the seat with your back to the windows.
Put very small children under you, and cover their eyes!
If you are in a building, stay inside until the hail stops. Stay away from windows, especially those being struck by hail.
Account for all family members, building occupants, pets, etc.
Do not go outside for any reason. Large hail can cause serious, or even fatal injuries!
What To Do In a Hailstorm;
Avoid using corded (landline) phones and electrical appliances during a severe storm to avoid the danger of electrocution from lightning!
If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter immediately! Go into a sturdy building and away from windows, glass doors, and skylights!
If there's no shelter, crouch down and protect your head and neck with your arms. If you can not find something to protect your entire body, at least find something to protect your head!
Stay out of culverts and lowland areas that might suddenly fill with water!
If you are driving, pull over to a safe place like a garage or under a shelter. Do NOT stop under bridges or overpasses. Stay in your car until the hailing stops!
Cover your eyes with something like a piece of clothing! If possible, lie down on the seat with your back to the windows!
If there are small children with you, put them under you and cover their eyes!
Avoid electrical hazards!
Trees are a last resort! It is common during severe storms for trees to lose branches. Also remember the fact that large isolated trees attract lightning!