Retiree Tips

The Truth About Lightning

While the odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 3000, lightning kills more than 80 people every year in the United States (more than tornadoes) and injures about 300. Lightning usually doesn't receive as much attention as the more destructive major weather-related killers probably because it claims one or two victims at a time and doesn't cause the mass destruction left by tornadoes or hurricanes.

While you are outside this summer, or any time, being aware of weather conditions is key. Being outdoors when thunderstorms are nearby always poses a risk, and certain locations are worse than others. The National Weather Service reports that:

Of the lightning casualty cases in the United States, about 48 percent occur in open fields, ballparks and playgrounds, while another 23 percent occur under trees.
An additional 12 percent involve water-related activities, about 6 percent involve golfing and 7 percent account for farming activities.

There are some safety tips you need to keep in mind to minimize the threat of being struck by lightning. Most importantly,be sure to monitor weather conditions and know that when you hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be a target. When thunderstorms are in the forecast, you might consider cancelling or postponing outdoor activities so that you can avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

There are many old-wives tales and misconceptions concerning lightning. Here are just a few of them:

Lightning never strikes the same place twice - It's said to have hit the Empire State Building several times a year.
Lightning rods will control lightning - Lightning rods neither attract nor control lightning. When lightning DOES decide to strike and a rod happens to be in the vicinity of the stroke, it can help prevent some damage from occurring to nearby objects.
Lightning only strikes tall objects - Lightning strikes anything which is in the path of least resistance. This doesn't necessarily mean it will strike the tallest thing.
Rubber shoes or boots are a form of insulation, which will protect me from lightning strikes - Lightning bolts have traveled through miles of air, which is also a form of insulation. Therefore, a bit of rubber isn't going to stop its progress.

There are some things, however, that you can do that could truly help save your life and as well as the lives of others:

In the event of a thunderstorm, seek shelter immediately.
If you cannot get indoors, inside a car is a relatively safe place (the current is carried on the outside of a conducting metal object).
Stay away from trees and water.
If there is no shelter, avoid being the tallest object and minimize your contact with the ground...make yourself as small a target as possible.
Avoid bicycles and motorcycles and leaning against vehicles.
Avoid open spaces, metal objects, telephones and other electrical appliances...basically anything that is a good conductor of electricity.
Do not congregrate in groups...a single lightning stroke can kill several people in contact with one another .
At home, do not use the telephone (except in an emergency) or any electrical appliances, and stay away from windows.
Do not bathe or take a shower during a storm.

There are also some warning signs that may alert you that a lightning strike is about to occur:

Your hair stands on end (as charges from the ground surge to the top of your head).
You hear a distinctive snapping or crackling sound (small discharges of static electricity may occur in an area where lightning is about to strike).
You experience a tingling sensation (electrical charges may be moving through your body).
There is a sudden increase in the static on portable electronic devices (electrical charges may be moving through the devices).
An abnormal burning smell in the air (static discharges within the air give off an unusual odor).

If you experience any of these signs, lightning may be about to strike you or somewhere nearby. Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears, and head between your knees. Minimize any contact with the ground and make yourself the smallest target possible. If you are unable to kneel, bend over, but do not lie down.

Nine out of ten people do survive lightning strikes... but it would be better to prevent being struck in the first place. Remember these tips and warning signs to help make sure your summer is safe and enjoyable time for both you and your family.