Doctor Warns Croatians: Avoid These Metal Items During Thunderstorms

During severe thunderstorms, carrying certain everyday items could prove fatal, according to a warning from a Croatian emergency medicine doctor. Dr. Silvia Totar, from the Zagreb City Emergency Medicine Institute, emphasized the critical need for caution during lightning storms, noting that while direct lightning strikes on people are rare, their consequences can be devastating and even lethal.

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If the person is unconscious, they should be placed in a recovery position. If the storm is ongoing, they should be moved to a safe place and 194 or 112 should be called.

Dr. Totar stressed that individuals should immediately seek shelter in sturdy buildings or vehicles when a storm approaches. It is crucial to avoid open areas, solitary trees, and bodies of water, which can act as lightning attractors. She also highlighted the importance of heeding warnings from meteorological services and adjusting outdoor activities accordingly.

"Absolutely do not carry metal objects with you," Dr. Totar stated, specifically pointing to common items like umbrellas that often feature metal tips. She also mentioned that parasols, frequently used during summer, can have metal tops, posing a similar risk. These items, she explained, should be kept at a safe distance during a storm.

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If they warn us that the weather will be bad, that a thunderstorm is coming, or if we don't hear it but see that the weather is like that, then we should take it into account and behave accordingly.

In the event someone is struck by lightning, Dr. Totar provided guidance: if the person is unconscious, they should be placed in a recovery position. If the storm is ongoing, the individual must be moved to a safe location, and emergency services (194 or 112) should be called immediately, assessing the person's breathing and vital signs. The doctor reiterated the importance of taking all weather warnings seriously to prevent tragic outcomes.

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Absolutely do not carry metal objects with you. These are items we use every day, like umbrellas that have a metal tip.