Thunder and lightning are two of Mother Nature's most dazzling spectacles. But danger lurks within the atmospheric light show. Every storm is potentially life-threatening for those who do not take proper precautions.

Lightning kills an average of 80 people and injures another 300 each year, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Most lightning strikes are not fatal, but they still cause long-term debilitating medical conditions. Most lightning related deaths and injures occur during the afternoon and evening, according to FEMA.

Although heavy downpours are most often associated with lightning danger, it is important to remember that lightning strikes may occur even during light rain. Strikes also have been known to occur up to 10 miles (16 kilometers) away from where rain is actually falling according to FEMA.

Lightning can strike you directly or reach you after striking an object that you are touching. It can also strike a nearby object or area and spread out until the strike hits you.

An ounce of prevention

Many of the injuries and deaths associated with lightning can be prevented by taking simple precautions, including:

• During a storm, observe FEMA's 30/30 lighting safety rule: Each time you see lightning, try to count to 30. If thunder claps at any point before you reach 30, go indoors until the storm passes. It is safe to return outside 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.
  
  
• Do not bathe or shower while the storm is ongoing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures conduct electricity. Lightning can also travel through corded phones, so use only cordless or cellular phones until the weather clears.
  
  
• Get indoors. If you can't get indoors, a hard-top car (not a convertible) is the next best option. While a car does not provide complete protection from lightning, it can help. Once inside the care, try to avoid touching any metal.
  
  If no car is nearby and you are stuck outdoors, also do not touch anything metal. This includes bicycles, golf clubs and carts, motorcycles, and farm equipment. Also, try to avoid areas more prone to strikes. These include:
  
  
  • Tall objects in open areas (e.g., trees) that are natural lightning rods
  • Hilltops and open fields
  • Beaches, open water and boats on the water
  • Small structures (e.g., sheds) in open areas
    
    
• Instead, seek shelter in areas such as ravines or valleys (watch out for flash flooding) and thick growths of smaller trees in forested areas.