When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
Lightning Safety Week: June 22-28, 2008
In the United States, an average of 62 people are killed each year by lightning. Already in 2008, 8 people have died due to lightning strikes. In 2007, 45 people were struck and killed by lighting in the U.S.; hundreds of others were injured.
Most people who are struck by lightning are not killed, but they are left badly bruised and burned. The force of being hit by lightning can literally blow off people's shoes, shred their clothes and throw them violently through the air. It not only hits you hard, but at 50,000 degrees, it also burns right through you, leaving you with disfiguring scars and internal damage. Lightning survivors often have pain, loss of memory and other bad effects that sometimes last a lifetime.
A darkening cloud is often the first sign that lightning may strike. As soon as you see lightning or hear thunder, you are immediately at risk. By playing another inning or waiting even a few minutes to see if the storm is getting closer, you could be risking your life.
Go immediately inside a house or other enclosed structure to stay safe. No place outdoors is safe! Covered vehicles are fairly safe locations, but remember to keep your hands and feet away from the side of the car and away from the dashboard, steering wheel and windows.
People that have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge. If you and the victim are in a safe area, it is safe and recommended to perform life saving first aid. You will not “get shocked” by touching the victim.
How far away is lightning from you? Use the FLASH to BANG method:
- When you see the FLASH
- Count the number of seconds to the BANG of thunder,
- Divide this number by 5,
- And this gives you the MILES the lighting is away from you.
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/
