During the long, hot days of summer, we all tend to spend more time outside. Follow a few tips to protect yourself and your family during storms, around water, and when the temperature soars.

• Stay away from downed power lines.
• If you hear thunder, go indoors, as you may be in danger from lightning.
• During severe storms, stay in an interior, ground-floor room away from windows.
• If you're stuck outside during a storm, avoid high ground, water, isolated trees and metal objects.
• Don't drive down flooded streets.

• Swim with a friend, and don’t let children swim unsupervised.
• Watch out for water currents, waves and underwater obstructions.
• Always enter unknown or shallow water feet first.
• Wear a flotation device when boating or rafting.
• Keep in mind that conditions may change without warning during floods and events affecting dam release schedules.
• If caught in fast-flowing water, float feet first in a half-sit position.

• Be aware of overhead power lines, which can sometimes be nearly invisible. If you're sailing, keep in mind that power lines frequently cross even large bodies of water.
• Never assume your boat's mast or aerials will clear an overhead power line, even if you've sailed under it before. Remember that water levels and boat drafts change. A misjudgment involving power lines and water can have fatal results.
• When you're maneuvering around a harbor, know where overhead power lines are before you move your boat. Never let any part of your mast, aerial or craft get closer than 10 feet away from any line.