Lightning can provide a spectacular display of light on a dark night, but this awesome show of nature can also cause death and destruction. Lightning is the visible discharge of electrical energy and is often accompanied by thunder, which is a sonic boom created by the same discharge. If you hear thunder, lightning is a threat even if the storm seems miles away. Lightning’s electrical energy seeks a path to the ground and your home, trees, or even you, can be that chosen path. No place is absolutely safe from lightning. However, some places are much safer than others.
Safety Tips
- When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors: If you can hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you – even if you are under blue sky.
- If outdoors, get inside a safe shelter right away.
- The safest location from lightning is a large enclosed building, not a picnic shelter or shed. The second safest location is an enclosed metal topped vehicle, such as a car, truck, or van, but not a convertible, bike, or other topless or softtop vehicle.
- If you are indoors, avoid water, doors, and windows. Do not use a landline telephone or headsets connected by wire to another device plugged into an electrical outlet.
- Turn off, unplug, and stay away from appliances, computers, power tools, and televisions. Lightning could hit wires outside the building and travel through wires and appliances into the house.
- Wait 30 minutes after you think lightning has passed before reconnecting appliances or resuming normal activities.
- If someone is struck by lightning, call 9-1-1 or send for help immediately. It is okay to give first aid without fear of being hurt as he or she will not carry an electrical charge.
