Keep safety in mind when planning your outdoor activities this summer! While we all want to make the most of these hot, sunny days, it’s important to take appropriate precautions. Wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and always check the weather before heading out.

SEVERE STORMS

Summer storms can form quickly and turn brutal. High winds, large hail, and tornadoes can cause a lot of damage, including to our infrastructure. If you see a downed power line, remember these three steps:

Stay away! You cannot tell if a line is energized or not just by looking at it. Play it safe, and assume the line is energized. Keep at least 50 feet away from downed lines. Debris could be concealing hazards, and nearby items could be electrified as well, like metal culverts.

Call 9-1-1. Report the downed lines to emergency personnel so they can take the proper steps to keep the area safe.

Call the Co-op. Let us know by calling 605-225-0310 so we can dispatch crews to repair the damaged line as quickly as safely possible.

We try to minimize outages, but it’s a good idea to be prepared, just in case. Keep a storm kit somewhere easily accessible and make sure everyone in your household knows the location. Stock it with flashlights, replacement batteries, first aid kit, battery powered weather radio, nonperishable food and water, and a phone charger with a spare battery pack.

LIGHTNING

There are no specific weather warnings or advisories for lightning. All thunderstorms are capable of producing lightning. When you see lightning or hear thunder, you should go inside an enclosed structure or vehicle. Dugouts, picnic shelters, and portable canopies will not protect you from lightning. Never take shelter under a tree.

Remember, lightning is electricity trying to find a path of least resistance. You are a better conductor than the air around you, so electricity is going to go through you to get to the ground faster. The storm doesn’t have to be directly over you to affect you! Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from the storm. Lightning strikes and near strikes can be fatal.

Lightning kills an average of over 20 people each year in the US and injures hundreds. Most lightning-related deaths occur when people are outside, having fun! Some of the activities people were doing when struck include golfing, boating, grilling, riding bike, gardening, and running.

Once in a safe place, wait at least 30 minutes following the last rumble of thunder to resume outdoor activities.

HEAT

Summer temps don’t have to soar too high for heat to become dangerous. Hot weather requires your body to work overtime to maintain your temperature. When outside, remember to stay hydrated, stay cool, and limit strenuous activities to prevent overheating. Take frequent water breaks even if you’re not thirsty yet. This will help prevent dehydration and other heat-related illnesses. Wear light, breathable clothing and take breaks in the shade or air conditioning.

Know the escalating signs of heat-illness and monitor yourself and others. You need to act fast to prevent worsening conditions:

Heat Exhaustion: Headache, nausea, dizziness, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature. Move to a cool area. Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks, and apply cold compresses. Take frequent sips of cool water and replenish electrolytes.

Heat Stroke: Confusion, slurred speech, no longer sweating/hot and dry skin, high body temperature, loss of consciousness. This is an emergency. The body is no longer able to regulate temperature. Call 9-1-1. Move to a cool area. Remove extra layers. Cool the body quickly with an ice bath or by wetting the skin and placing cool, wet cloths on the skin.