SAFETY RULES TO SURVIVE THE WEATHER

Here are some interesting facts about lightning:

• Property damage from lightning each year is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Lightning claims quite a few victims every year; an average of a little over 100 are killed and 250 are injured, many while seeking shelter from the storm.

• Almost 3/4 of the deaths attributed to lightning occur during the summer season, with the majority during July. You may say this is because more people are out of doors during the summer months. But the main reason is because more thunderstorms occur then.

• The chances of being struck by lightning are about the same as winning the $1,000,000 lottery: 2,000,000 to one.

• In the United States more than 200 people die each year from lightning or from fires caused by lightning. It kills more people than hurricanes or tornadoes.

• At any moment there are 2,000 thundershowers occurring around the world.

• Lightning takes the shortest path. It hits the highest object, a tall tree or building, a tower or a person standing alone in a flat field. Lightning can strike many miles away from its parent storm. So even if you are not right in the middle of a thunderstorm, but one is near, be prepared. If your hair starts standing on end, or you taste copper in your mouth, you are about to be struck by lightning.

• Stay indoors and away from windows during a thunderstorm. You should not be out in the rain anyway. Unplug televisions, computers and other appliances.

• If you are away from buildings, get inside an all metal, non-convertible automobile, and avoid contact with the metal.

• Avoid using telephones, unless it is an emergency. Watch the storm instead, it is spectacular.

• Do not stand under a natural lightning rod such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.

• Do not stand on a hilltop, an open field, or on the beach.

• Get away from open water and do not fish from a small boat.

• Stay away from metal objects, especially golf clubs. Take off your golf shoes. You do not want to be in contact with any metal, which is a good conductor of electricity.

• Get away from tractors and other metal farm equipment. Get away from scooters and bicycles.

• Stay away from wire fences, clotheslines, metal pipes, rails and other metallic paths which could carry lightning to you from some distance away.

• Avoid standing in small isolated sheds or other small structure in open areas. Get off the golf course.

• If in a forest, seek shelter in a low area under a thick growth of small tress. In open areas, go to a low place such as a ravine or valley.

• Do not stand under a single tall tree. Most lightning victims are killed while seeking shelter under a tree. Do not be the tallest object in the area. Make yourself as low as possible and stay away from single tall trees. If it is hit and you are near it, you may get a shock from the electricity travelling through the ground.

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• If a person is struck by lightning, he is not carrying any electrical charge and so can be touched. He will be burnt and has received a severe electrical shock.

• Many people apparently "killed" by lightning can be revived if quick action is taken. When a group is affected, the apparent dead should be treated first; those unconscious but breathing will probably recover.

• First aid should be rendered to those not breathing within four to six minutes to prevent irrevocable damage to the brain. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation should be administered once every five seconds to adults and once every three seconds to infants and small children.

• If the victim is not breathing and has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is necessary. This is a combination of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and external cardiac compression. It should be administered by persons with proper training.

• Check for burns along their extremities and around areas in contact with metal. Give first-aid for shock. Send for help.

National Weather Service Preparedness Guide

Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Lightning Preparedness Guide: This preparedness guide from the National Weather Service explains thunderstorms and related hazards and suggests life-saving actions you can take. With this information, you can recognize severe weather, develop a plan, and be ready to act when threatening weather approaches. Remember...your safety is up to you. Click on the image to view or download the preparedness guide.

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