LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

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When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

Lightning is the #2 source of storm deaths in the U.S., killing more people than tornadoes or hurricanes. Lightning also inflicts life-long debilitating injuries on many more than it kills. Florida is the "Thunderstorm Capital" of the U.S., but other parts of the country have lots of lightning too, especially in the Southeast, Midwest, and the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. However, all states have some lightning threat. Fortunately, most lightning deaths and injuries are easily avoided. Remember, NO PLACE OUTSIDE IS SAFE NEAR A THUNDERSTORM!

Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 21-27, 2009. Each day has a special focus. Monday overviews general lightning safety. Tuesday features lightning science. Wednesday looks at outdoor lightning safety. Thursday examines indoor lightning safety. Finally, Friday focuses on medical aspects of lightning. Learn more at www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

The first step in lightning safety is to plan your outdoor activities to avoid as much of the lightning threat as you can. Watch the local weather forecasts and know your local weather patterns. The forecast from your local National Weather Service office can be found through www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

When outside, keep and eye on the sky. If you are planning an outdoor event, bring along a NOAA Weather Radio or AM radio or Internet Weather Alert system and check it regularly. Most people are struck by lightning before or just after a storm. Why, because they wait too long to seek shelter or go back outside to soon. So if you hear thunder roar, go indoors--immediately. Don't go outside until 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder.

The safest place from lightning readily available to most people is inside a large, fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing, e.g., a typical house. But stay away from any conducting path to the outside: corded telephones, electrical appliances and plumbing. Don't watch lightning from doorways or windows. If you can't get to a house, a vehicle with a metal roof and metal sides is a good second choice. Roll-up the windows, lean away from the door, and don't touch any conducting path going outside, e.g., radio, keys in the ignition, steering wheel, etc. Remember, it's not the rubber tires insulating you from the ground that make vehicles safe, but rather the metal shell that conducts the electricity around you. Xonvertibles, motorcycles, cars made of fiberglass and plastic, and open shelled outdoor recreation vehicles aren't safe.

If you can't get to a house or vehicle, than at least avoid the most hazardous places and activities. Stay off elevated places, like mountains, buildings, high playground equipment, etc. Keep away from open areas, including sports fields and beaches. Get away from tall isolated objects like trees. Going under trees to keep dry persists in being the 2nd leading cause of lightning casualties in the U.S. Don't do this! Going under trees is just asking to be hit by lightning! Stop water-related activities, including swimming, boating, and fishing. Needless to say, GET OUT OF THE POOL at the first hint of lightning threat! Get off of open vehicles like cabin-less tractors, bulldozers, four-wheel recreational vehicles, etc. But remember, NO PLACE OUTSIDE IS SAFE NEAR A THUNDERSTORM. You are much safer going inside a house or car.

All lightning deaths result from cardiac arrest, so helping a victim is perfectly safe. If you're with a victim, first call 9-1-1 to get professional medical help, then apply CPR if possible. A common myth is that lightning victims are electrified and dangerous to approach. False! It is perfectly safe to give first aid to a lightning victim as long as they aren't touching live power wires that may've been knocked down by strong thunderstorm winds. About 90% of lightning victims survive, so your first aid has an excellent chance of saving a life.

Lightning is definitely the underrated thunderstorm threat. While no set of guidelines can give you 100% guaranteed safety from lightning, the procedures discussed above can help you avoid the majority of lightning casualties. For more information on lightning safety, visit www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

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