Thunderstorm Safety

It is June and we are in the midst of thunderstorm season in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area so it is a good time for a reminder of the seriousness of these storms and how common they are especially during the summertime. A thunderstorm watch means that a thunderstorm is possible in your area while a thunderstorm warning means that a thunderstorm is taking place in your area. Two young boys in my area were recently struck by lightning at a little league baseball game that was actually cancelled but the pair was on the field throwing the ball when they were struck. Unfortunately, one boy died and the other boy was in critical condition. Apparently, the lightening bounced from one boy to the other. All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous so when you hear thunder, you are in danger from lightning. Lightning kills between 75 to 100 people each year and being outdoors is the most dangerous place to be. A bolt of lightning is five times hotter than the sun’s surface and can strike as far as 10 miles away from where a storm is actually located.

If you are outside and hear thunder, go to a safe place immediately. Lightning often precedes rain so do not wait for the rain to start. Find shelter in a safe building or a car or van with a hard top and make sure that all windows and doors are shut. Avoid baseball dugouts, metal light poles, metal bleachers, metal fences, field goalposts, metal soccer goalposts, sheds, picnic areas and trees. You should avoid all metal piping and water whether you are inside or outside since they are a great conductor of electricity. Consequently, do not take a shower, do laundry, wash dishes, wash your hands, or use water in any other way so you won’t be electrocuted. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Stay off the phone during a storm because the electrical surges caused by lightning can enter your home right through the telephone line or the electrical wiring. Do not use computers or other electric or electronic equipment and appliances during a storm and be sure to use a power surge protector plug for additional protection of your most sensitive electronics.

For your own protection and safety and since many lightning-related incidents occur outside, listen to the latest weather forecast and instructions for your area before planning any outdoor activities. Watch the sky, look for darkening skies, windiness, and flashes of lightning. If someone does get struck by lightning, call or send for help immediately. Most people do not know that you can take a first aid course so you will know how to respond if someone is struck by lightning. Most lightning victims can be saved with appropriate and timely treatment.

A local news channel reported that girls have less of a chance of getting struck by lightning than boys because boys are involved in more outdoor activities than girls.

If you are outside in a group, everyone should keep a distance from each other to avoid lightning from bouncing from one person to another. However, once struck or injured by lightning, the person does not carry an electrical charge, so it is okay to touch them. If you are caught outside in an open area during a storm, stay away from trees and metal because when lightning hits these things, its charge moves through the metal, and can shock you if you come into contact with it. If your hair suddenly stands on end, it could mean that you are about to be struck by lightning. To protect yourself outside, never lie flat on the ground, instead drop to your knees with your hands on them and bend forward.