Lightning Strikes and Safety Tips During Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are a common occurrence during the summer months, and with them comes the risk of lightning strikes. Lightning is one of the most dangerous natural phenomena, causing an average of 20 deaths and 400 injuries per year in the United States alone. It’s important to take precautions when thunderstorms are present to avoid becoming a victim of this deadly force.
What is Lightning?
Lightning is an electrical discharge caused by a buildup of static electricity in storm clouds. The electric current can be as hot as 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit and can travel up to 30,000 amps through the air or anything that conducts electricity. The sudden burst of energy creates light (the flash) and sound (the thunder), and it can also cause severe damage to people, animals, buildings, trees, and power lines.
Types of Lightning Strikes
There are several types of lightning strikes that you should be aware of:
– Cloud-to-ground: This is the most common type of lightning strike that occurs between a storm cloud and the ground.
– Ground-to-cloud: This type occurs when there’s a surge of positive charge from the ground that meets with a negative charge in a cloud.
– Intracloud: This type takes place within one cloud or between two clouds.
Regardless of its type, all lightning poses danger to anyone who’s caught outside during a thunderstorm.
Safety Tips During Thunderstorms
If you’re outdoors during a thunderstorm:
1. Seek shelter immediately – Get inside your home or car if possible. If not available go inside any building but stay away from windows or doors leading outside.
2. Stay away from tall objects – Avoid being near any tall object such as trees since they conduct electricity well enough for lightning to hit them directly or for ground currents which would produce strong electric fields around these objects.
3. Don’t use electronic devices – Avoid using cellphones, computers, video games or other electronic devices as they can conduct electricity and attract lightning.
4. Avoid water – Don’t swim or bathe during a thunderstorm since water is an excellent conductor of electricity.
5. Stay low to the ground – If you’re outside in an open area, crouch down low with your feet together and cover your ears to avoid being hit by flying debris.
If you’re indoors during a thunderstorm:
1. Avoid plumbing – Don’t take a shower or bath, wash dishes, or do laundry since metal pipes can conduct electricity from lightning strikes.
2. Unplug electronics – Turn off and unplug all electronic appliances such as TV sets, satellite receivers, and computers to prevent damage from power surges caused by lightning strikes nearby.
3. Stay away from windows – Refrain from standing near windows as shards of glass could fly inside if struck by lightning
4. Use surge protectors – Protect sensitive equipment like TVs and computers with surge protectors that will absorb any excess energy created by a nearby strike
What To Do When Someone Is Struck By Lightning?
If someone around you is struck by lightning:
1. Call 911 immediately- Lightning strikes are life-threatening situations that require emergency medical care right away.
2. Check for breathing – After calling for help check for breathing of the victim if it has stopped start CPR immediately until help arrives
3. Watch out for burns- A person who’s been hit by lightning may have burn marks on their skin where the current entered and exited their body.
Conclusion
Lightning is one of nature’s most powerful forces but it doesn’t have to be deadly if proper precautions are taken when thunderstorms occur. Remember to seek shelter indoors away from tall objects during stormy weather conditions while avoiding using electrical appliances or taking showers/baths; these tips will help keep you safe in case there’s ever a sudden bolt of lighting nearby!