Jul 1, 2009 8:39 pm US/Eastern
When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
Protect Yourself With New Lightning Safety Tips
BOSTON
Rules for protecting yourself against lightning are changing.
Here's the latest update on lightning safety tips from the National Weather Service:
While virtually all people take some protective actions during the most dangerous part of thunderstorms, many leave themselves vulnerable to being struck by lightning as thunderstorms approach, depart, or are nearby.
Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles or more away from the rain area of a thunderstorm; that is about the distance that you can hear the thunder from the storm. In some instances when a storm is ten miles away, it may even be difficult to tell that a storm is nearby. However, if you hear the thunder, chances are that you are within striking distance of that storm.
Remember...when thunder roars, go indoors!
INDOOR RISKS
Inside homes, people must avoid activities which put their lives at risk from a possible lightning strike. In particular, people should avoid contact with anything that conducts electricity and stay away from windows and doors. People may also want to take certain actions well before the storm threatens, in order to protect property within their homes, such as sensitive electronic equipment.
Finally, in the unfortunate event that a person is struck by lightning, medical care may be needed immediately to save that person`s life. Cardiac arrest and irregularities and nerve damage are common in cases where people are struck by lightning. However, with proper treatment, including cpr if necessary, most victims survive a lightning strike, although the long-term effects on their lives and the lives of family members can be devastating.
OUTDOOR RISKS
Being outdoors when thunderstorms are nearby is risky. There is simply no safe place outside any time a thunderstorm is nearby. In 2008, all lightning fatalities occurred outdoors and more than one third of the fatalities involved water-related activities. In addition, more than a third of the victims were under or near a tree that was struck by lightning.
To minimize your threat of being struck by lightning while outdoors, it is important to know when the lightning threat begins to increase significantly and when the threat is reduced to minimal levels.
In general, the threat begins well before people think it begins, and ends well after people think it ends. Unfortunately, it`s this lack of understanding that accounts for many lightning casualties.
BASIC RULES
While no one can completely eliminate the risk of being struck by lightning, by using some basic rules,
you can greatly reduce your risk of becoming a lightning casualty.
1. Plan ahead. If thunderstorms are forecast, consider canceling or postponing outdoor activities so that you avoid a potentially dangerous situation.
2. Monitor the weather conditions. Watch the sky for any signs of a developing or approaching storm, particularly if you need a long time to get to a safe place.
3. If the sky looks threatening or you hear thunder, immediately seek safety inside a substantial building. If a substantial building is not available, take shelter in a hard-topped metal vehicle. Remain there for at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is seen or the last thunder is heard. Some lightning victims have made the mistake of returning outdoors before the threat is over.
4. If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, you should avoid things that increase your risk of being struck. Remember, though, that to substantially lower the risk to being struck, you must get inside. In these instances 1) avoid tall objects such as tall trees and poles, 2) avoid things that conduct electricity such as metal bleachers or wire fences, 3) try to get to a safe place as fast as you can.
If you or your children are involved in organized, outdoor recreational activities, make sure in advance that the officials in charge have and follow a specific lightning safety plan. Don`t be afraid to ask. Coaches, umpires, referees, or camp counselors must learn to protect the safety of the participants by stopping the activities early, so that there is sufficient amount of time for the participants and spectators to get to a safe place before the lightning threat becomes significant. In certain instances, substantial buildings may not be available for shelter, and cars and buses may provide the best protection, but be sure the windows are closed and that the occupants avoid contact with any metal in the vehicle.
SAFE SHELTERS
A house or other substantial building offers the best protection from lightning. In assessing the safety provided by a particular structure, it is more important to consider what happens if the structure gets struck by lightning, rather than whether the structure will be hit by lightning. For a shelter to provide protection from lightning, it must contain a mechanism for conducting the electrical current from the point of contact to the ground. These mechanisms may be on the outside of the structure, may be contained within the walls of the structure, or may be a combination of the two. On the outside, lightning can travel along the outer shell of the building or may follow metal gutters and down spouts to the ground. Inside a structure, lightning can follow conductors such as the electrical wiring, plumbing, and telephone lines to the ground.
Unless specifically designed to be lightning safe, small structures do not protect occupants from lightning. Many small open shelters on athletic fields, golf courses, parks, roadside picnic areas, schoolyards and elsewhere are designed to protect people from rain and sun, but not lightning. A shelter that does not contain plumbing or wiring throughout, or some other mechanism for grounding from the roof to ground is not safe. Small wooden, vinyl, or metal sheds offer no protection from lightning and should be avoided during thunderstorms.
HOW LIGHTNING ENTERS A HOME
There are three main ways lightning enters homes and buildings:
(1) a direct strike,
(2) through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure, and
(3) through the ground.
Regardless of the method of entrance, once in a structure, the lightning can travel through the electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio/television reception systems. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.
THE 'DO NOT TOUCH' LIST
In the past, the use of corded phones was the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the united states. However, with more and more cordless and cell phones in use, the number of phone injuries has been diminishing.
At the same time, the number of children injured while playing video games that are plugged into a wall or television has been increasing. Lightning can travel long distances in both phone and electrical wires, particularly in rural areas. Stay away from windows and doors as these can provide the path for a direct strike to enter a home.
Do not lie on the concrete floor of a garage as it likely contains a wire mesh. In general, basements are a safe place to go during thunderstorms.
However, there are some things to keep in mind. Avoid contact with concrete walls which may contain metal reinforcing bars. Avoid washers and dryers since they not only have contacts with the plumbing and electrical systems, but also contain an electrical path to the outside through the dryer vent.
Lightning also causes significant damage to personal property each year. In addition to direct strikes, lightning generates electrical surges that can damage electronic equipment some distance from the actual strike. To the extent possible, unplug sensitive electronic equipment from all conductors well before a thunderstorm threatens.
For your safety, do not unplug equipment from the wall when a thunderstorm is nearby. And, don`t forget to disconnect televisions or radios from outdoor antennas! If you plan to be away from your home when thunderstorms are possible, be sure to unplug unneeded equipment before you leave.
Summary of lightning safety tips for inside the home
1. Avoid contact with corded phones
2. Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan
to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the
storm arrives.
3. Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not
take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
4. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
5. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete
walls.
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