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Understanding the significance of a thunderstorm and learning how to protect oneself from the damage which the accompanying thunderbolt may cause is very important.
What is lightning? How powerful is lightning? How can you protect yourself and your loved ones from a lightning strike? Lightning has always been a feared, yet awesome sight of nature. It is fun to watch the bolts strike down to the earth on the horizon. Many people go outside during storms just so they can see the lightning. This is not a good idea, many people have been instantly electrocuted from lightning. Others have suffered blown off knee caps, holes in their skull and brain damage. If the lightning enters the skull the electrical current needs to leave the body this results in an exit point somewhere on the body, usually the knee caps, feet, or hands.
To begin with know that a typical lightning strike carries an electrical charge of more than 100 million volts. The process starts when POSITIVE electrical charges on the ground are attracted to NEGATIVE charges at the base of a thunderstorm cloud. It is so powerful that it can split tree trunks like match sticks. Lightning starts fires and is responsible for thousands of forest fires each year. Utility companies worry about lightning strikes, because these strikes can totally destroy telephone and power lines. Lightning is so powerful that it can even knock an airplane out of the sky. It is wise to fear and respect thunder and lightning. The heat from a lightning flash can evaporate water instantly and it can even melt metal. Make no mistake: this force of nature can explode trees, brick walls, and any other object. In fact you can be knocked to the ground just from the shock wave of a nearby lightning flash.
Remember, never take shelter under a tree, because trees usually attract lightning. In September of 2000, four boys in Tucson Arizona were at a park during a lightning storm: they took shelter under a tree. All four boys were caught up in the lightning that struck the tree. Two ended up in intensive care at the hospital, the other two were fine.
Until the thunderstorm ceases take shelter in a car, building, cliff, cave, or dry ditch. Lightning emits warning signs that it is coming. Warning signs such as: metal objects may start to buzz or crackle, your skin may begin to tingle, your hair may stand on end, etc. Heed these warning signs and get indoors quickly if possible. These warning signs are caused by a buildup of positive electrical charges on the ground.
Here are a couple of guidelines to follow during thunderstorms:
1. Stay away from bodies of water, such as lakes and swimming pools - even indoor swimming pools.
2. Stay clear of isolated trees, flagpoles, telephone poles, hills, and rooftops. Get out into an open field or road.
3. Of course NEVER touch metal objects such as wire fences, golf clubs, aluminum baseball bats, bicycles, during a lightning storm.
4. If you are caught out doors during a thunderstorm, crouch down and keep your head as low as possible and only let your feet touch the ground - rock forward on your toes if possible to get as much of your feet off the ground. Do not touch the ground with your hands to balance yourself.
5. NEVER lie down on the ground - you want as much of you off the ground as possible. The electrical current from a nearby lightning strike can travel toward you along wet ground.
6. Even indoors you must use common sense. Always stay away from electrical appliances, metal pipes, get off the phone, stay out of the shower and bathtub and do not use any wired appliance.
7. If you are caught outside with a small child, hold the child on your lap up off the ground as you crouch around them
Realize that lightning is a powerful force of nature and it demands that you develop a healthy respect and fear of it. Stay indoors during lightning storms!
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