Don't wait until a storm strikes. Stormproof your house and put an emergency kit together while the skies are still clear.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—No matter what part of the country you live in, chances are good you've noticed a change in storm patterns throughout recent years. As the climate warms, there tends to be fewer storms, but the ones that do strike drop a lot more water in a shorter amount of time.

August through October is when most storms develop. Whether or not your area is becoming more prone to thunderstorms or hurricanes, there are steps you can take to protect yourself against the major damaging effects of strong storms. And when extreme weather events occur, and emergency kit can make it easier to evacuate should you need to leave the area.

Know how to deal with the big three:

#1: LIGHTNING

• Get inside! The National Weather Service's rule of thumb is for storm safety is simple: "When thunder roars, go indoors!" That's because when you're outside, there's little you can do to lower your chances of being struck by lightning. If you are outside and hear thunder, get inside a building with inside walls, wiring, and plumbing, or a car with a full roof, for protection.

• Prepare like Ben Franklin. If you want to deal with lightning before it strikes, consider hiring an experienced contractor familiar with lightning protection systems. These consist of metal lightning rods on the roof that send a lightning strike into the ground and away from your home.

• Find the safest spot in your house. Know before a storm strikes if there’s metal meshing in the concrete of your basement. If there is, you shouldn't have contact with that area during a storm. Lightning can enter your home through a direct strike, the ground, or plumbing and wiring. Stay away from windows, washers and dryers, TVs, stay out of the shower or tub, and stay off the phone. Surge protectors won't protect your electronics, so unplug them before a storm strikes. And remember, chatting it up may pass the time, but talking on the phone is the most common scenario for most indoor lightning injuries.