Lightning Safety: Essential Rules to Stay Safe During Storms

According to the National Weather Service, approximately 58 people are killed each year by lightning, more than by either tornadoes or hurricanes. Stay safe during thunderstorms with a few simple safety rules.

Watch the Sky

• Keep an eye on the sky and watch for developing thunderstorms. Storms are most prevalent in the spring and summer but can occur any time of year. Vertical, growing cumulus clouds are thunderstorm indicators.

Seek Shelter

• Seek shelter when you see or sense a storm approaching. Do not wait for rain to occur. Lightning strikes can happen 10 miles from areas of rain. The rule of thumb: If you can hear thunder, you are within striking range.

Indoors

• Don't use hard-wired telephones and computers or other devices that put you in direct contact with electricity. Also, stay away from tubs, showers and plumbing sources. Remain indoors until 30 minutes have lapsed since the last thunder clap.

Outdoors

• If you are caught outside, find shelter in a vehicle (with doors and windows closed) or in the most substantial building you can find or access. Avoid water sources, trees, high ground and open spaces. Also avoid metal fences and posts. All lightning fatalities in 2008 occurred outdoors.

Dangers

• A lightning strike is not always fatal, but it is still harmful. Memory loss, dizziness, sleep disorders and weakness are a few of the symptoms suffered by those who have been struck by lightning.