In stormy weather, knowing these **lightning safety tips** is vital for everyone.
Summer is a great time to enjoy the weather outside. But it’s essential to be aware of the danger of lightning. When you see flashing, it’s best to go inside.
Lightning is dangerous. Lightning kills more people in the United States than tornadoes or hurricanes every year.
If you see dark clouds, it’s time to head indoors. If you’re caught outside during a storm, there are some things you can do to stay safe.
Even distant storms can produce lightning strikes as far as 25 miles from the thunderstorm. You’re close enough to be in danger.
National Weather Service advises individuals to move to a safe place inside a building or car as soon after seeing lightning.
What Causes a Lightning storm?
Some scientists think that the process that starts during a thunderstorm usually involves a small hail called graupel.
Graupel is a type of precipitation made up of tiny pieces of ice.
Because of the updrafts, small graupel particles collide with bigger droplets, get electrified, and up in the thunderstorm.
They collide with more droplets and become charged as they move higher into the storm.
When the storm cloud fills with a lot of electricity, it becomes unstable. This means that the electricity will discharge in the form of lightning.
How hot is lightning?
This discharge creates a channel of plasma that can reach temperatures of up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even though we know how lightning forms, there is still much to learn. Lightning is a fascinating weather phenomenon.
11 lightning safety tips when you hear thunder:
- Avoid high elevations
- Open spaces
- Find a sturdy building or car to take shelter immediately.
- Don’t stand near metal fences or poles.
- Keep your head down if caught in the Open.
- Don’t use electrical equipment indoors or outdoors.
- Avoid being in water during a lightning storm.
- Beware of tree branches that could fall on you.
- Don’t lie flat on the ground.
- If you’re in a group, spread out to avoid the same lightning bolt.
- Be alert for changing conditions and take shelter if necessary.
Avoid high elevations
Whenever there is a thunderstorm, it is always best to avoid high elevations.
This is because lightning tends to strike the highest point in an area.
If you are on a mountain and hear thunder, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than someone at a lower elevation.
Avoid Open Spaces
When you’re outside and hear thunder, you should avoid open spaces. That means no picnicking in fields or playing sports on wide-open beaches.
The reason is that you want to reduce your exposure to the storm. You’re a big target for lightning if you’re in an open space.
And we’re not talking about getting hit by a lightning strike; we’re talking about a bolt of electricity that is hotter than the sun’s surface and can kill you.
Try to crouch down low to the ground.
Try to find a sturdy building or car.
When there’s a storm, you want to make sure you’re not the tallest thing around.
That’s why it’s a good idea to find a sturdy building or car to shelter in. Lightning strikes tend to strike the tallest objects, so you’re at risk near something tall, like a tree or a power pole.
But if you can get inside a building or car, you’ll be much safer.
If you are close to a lightning strike, the metal frame of a building or car will conduct the electricity and send it into the ground, keeping you safe.
So if you’re caught in lightning, remember to seek shelter in a sturdy building or car.
Don’t stand near metal fences or poles.
When lightning strikes, it can send a large electrical current through any metal objects in the area.
The electric current is deadly if you’re standing near a metal fence or pole during a storm.
So it’s essential to stay away from metal objects during a thunderstorm. Instead, find a safe place indoors or in a car with the windows rolled up.
And if you can’t find a safe place, make sure you’re not touching any metal objects.
Keep your head down if you can’t find shelter.
If you’re caught outside during a thunderstorm and can’t find shelter, the best thing to do is keep your head down.
If lightning strikes, it’s less likely to hit you. Instead, it will hit the ground near you, much safer.
Kneel, don’t lay close to the ground, and cover your head with your hands. Even though it may seem like the safest thing to do, don’t lay close to the ground and cover your head with your hands.
Don’t use electrical equipment.
Avoid using electrical equipment like corded phones and computers during a thunderstorm.
Electrical equipment and lighting are a dangerous mix.
Using electrical equipment during a storm could injure or be killed if struck by lightning.
This applies to cordless or cellular phone lines, which are often overlooked. Stay off phone lines as this allows electrical systems access to dangerous electric surge
Even if you’re not using electrical equipment, you should be careful and follow lightning safety tips.
Avoid swimming or being in water during thunder.
It might be tempting to swim or dip in the pool when thunderstorms roll in. But it is hazardous to be in the water.
Lightning can travel long distances. The electricity can go through the water and shock you if it hits the water.
So next time there’s a thunderstorm, resist the urge to go for a swim and wait until it passes before getting back in the water.
Beware of tree branches that could fall on you.
When there’s a thunderstorm with lightning, you should be careful of tree branches that could fall on you.
If the lightning hits the tree, it could knock a branch off, falling on you. That would hurt.
If you’re outside when there is lightning, you should try to stand area away from trees.
Stay away from windows where the branch could come through and hit you if you’re inside.
It would be best to stay off porches and balconies where a branch could fall on you. Be safe during thunderstorms and stay away from trees!
Don’t lie flat on the ground.
Lying flat on the ground increases your risk of being struck by lightning. It’s one of the worst things you can do since it makes you a larger target for lightning.
During a thunderstorm, DO NOT lie on and avoid concrete floors. In addition, avoid resting against concrete walls.
Instead, try to crouch down low, keeping your feet close together. If you can’t find shelter, put your hands over your ears and tuck your head between your knees.
By following these simple tips, you can stay safe during a lightning storm.
If you’re in a group, spread out to avoid the same lightning bolt.
Did you know that you should spread out if you’re in a group during a thunderstorm?
You could get hit by the same lightning bolt if you’re close together. We all know that getting struck by lightning is not good.
So next time there’s a storm, remember to give yourself some space from your friends.
That way, you can avoid injury from the same lightning bolt.
Be alert for changing conditions and be prepared to take shelter if necessary.
When you’re outside during a thunderstorm, it’s important to be alert to changing weather conditions. Weather radios are a good investment to keep your family safe.
A sudden drop in temperature, an increase in wind speed, or the sound of distant thunder can all indicate that a storm is approaching. If you see any of these signs, take shelter immediately.
The best place to weather the storm is indoors, away from windows and doors. Avoid open spaces, isolated trees, and metal objects such as fences or golf clubs if you can’t get indoors.
Lightning tends to strike the tallest object in an area, so it’s best to stay low.
Once you’re in a safe place, keep an eye on the weather conditions and listen for updates on a weather radio.
By being prepared, you can minimize your risk during a lightning storm.
FAQ’s
What is the first rule of lightning safety?
The first rule of lightning safety is to stay indoors. If you can’t get inside, go to a car or other enclosed metal vehicle. If you are caught outside in a storm, avoid high ground, open spaces, and water.
What is the 3030 rule?
Go indoors if you can’t count to 30 before hearing thunder after seeing lightning. Stay inside for 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder has died away.
Should you take a shower when there’s lightning?
It’s not a good idea to take a shower during a lightning storm. If there’s lightning, it can travel through the plumbing and electrocute you in the shower!
Conclusion
Lightning is a dangerous weather phenomenon. If you’re caught outdoors during a thunderstorm, follow these safety tips to reduce your risk of being struck by lightning. Stay safe!
Now that you know how to stay safe during a thunderstorm put these tips into practice the next time severe weather strikes. And remember, if you can hear thunder, you’re close enough to lightning.
Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors! Stay safe this summer and be aware of the dangers.
