Thunderstorm Safety

 MYTH: Lightning Never Strikes The Same Place Twice

TRUTH: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it's a tall pointy isolated object. Places prone to lightning are places to avoid when thunderstorms are nearby!

MYTH: Rubber Tires Protect You From Lightning In A Car By Insulating You From The Ground

TRUTH: Lightning laughs at two inches of rubber! Most cars are reasonably safe from lightning. But it's the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, not the rubber tires. Thus convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open shelled outdoor recreational vehicles, and cars with plastic or fiberglass shells offer no lightning protection.

MYTH: I'm In A House, I'm Safe From Lightning

TRUTH: While a house is a good place for lightning safety, just going inside isn't enough. You must avoid any conducting path leading outside, such as corded telephones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, plumbing, metal doors or window frames, etc. Don't stand near a window to watch the lightning. An inside room is generally best.

 LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE AS FAR AS 10 MILES FROM THE AREA WHERE IT IS RAINING. THAT'S ABOUT THE DISTANCE YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER. IF YOU CAN HEAR THUNDER, YOU ARE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE. SEEK SAFE SHELTER IMMEDIATELY.?

*  Be the lowest point. Lightning hits the tallest object. Crouch down if you are in an exposed area.

*  If you can't get to a shelter, stay away from trees. If there is no shelter, crouch in the open, keeping twice as far away from a tree as it is tall.

*  Avoid leaning against vehicles. Get off bicycles and motorcycles. Avoid metal! Don't hold on to metal items such golf clubs, fishing rods, tennis rackets or tools.

* Get out of the water. It's a great conductor of electricity. Don't stand in puddles of water, even if wearing rubber boots.

* Move away from a group of people, staying several yards away from others. Don't share a bleacher bench or huddle in a group.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

In the United States , there are an estimated 25 million lightning flashes each year. During the past 30 years, lightning killed an average of 62 people per year. This ties the average of 62 deaths per year caused by tornadoes. Yet because lightning usually claims only one or two victims at a time and does not cause mass destruction of property, it is underrated as a risk. While documented lightning injuries in the United States average about 300 per year, undocumented injuries are likely much higher.