Beaumont seniors are blessed to live in a region full of outstanding outdoor recreation. Hunting, fishing, mudding, horseback riding, camping, boating, cycling, and more are all fantastic across the Golden Triangle, not to mention all the amazing golf courses.

Entergy Texas has Southeast Texas Senior safety tips to help you plan for dangerous Golden Triangle storms.

Southeast Texas also generates some very powerful and dangerous storms.

If a storm is coming or under way, get indoors.  

Lightning often precedes rain, so Golden Triangle seniors shouldn’t wait for raindrops to fall before going indoors when it looks like a bad storm is coming. Lightning can travel through wiring and water pipes, so stay away from bathtubs, sinks, corded phones, and anything that uses electricity, like TVs, computers, video games, or appliances. During a bad storm, Beaumont seniors should keep away from windows and open doors. If storm has had a lot of lighting, it can be wise for Southeast Texas seniors to stay indoors for 30 minutes or more after you hear the last thunder.

If you must be outside during a thunderstorm, stay near proper shelter.

Proper shelter is a large, enclosed building with conventional wiring and plumbing. Count the time from when you see  lightning to when you hear thunder. If the time is 30 seconds or less, seek shelter. Don’t leave the shelter until 30 minutes or more has elapsed after the last thunder. If you can’t get indoors:

• The next best choice to help ensure Beaumont senior safety is to get into a hardtop car—not a convertible—and roll up the windows. Don’t touch the car frame, steering wheel, ignition, gearshift, or radio. Avoid open vehicles like golf carts (even with roofs), tractors, etc.
• Lightning is drawn to tall objects and metal. Southeast Texas seniors should avoid trees, canopies, small picnic or rain shelters, and anything metal, such as flagpoles, metal bleachers, golf clubs, tall light poles, etc.
• Avoid rivers, lakes, and swimming pools. If you are boating, head to shore. Sam Rayburn, Toledo Bend, and Sabine pass are true treasures for Golden Triangle seniors, but they can turn dangerous in a hurry.
• Avoid wide-open areas, including sports fields.

If lightning is about to strike near you, squat.

If Southeast Texas seniors are outside, far away from proper shelter, and lightning threatens, the safest thing for Golden Triangle Senior safety  is to move at least 15 feet away from other people, put your feet together, squat down, tuck your head, and cover your ears to minimize hearing damage from thunder. Do NOT lie down or put your hands or knees on the ground. When the immediate threat of lightning has passed, continue heading to the safest spot possible.

Go indoors or get into a hardtop car if you see lightning or hear thunder. If you can’t get indoors, stay away from tall objects, metal objects, bodies of water, and wide-open areas.

Entergy Texas hopes these tips will help preserve Beaumont senior safety.

Entergy Texas will publish regular Southeast Texas senior safety tips here on SETXseniors.com.