Lightning Safety

Reviewed By:
Timothy Yarboro, M.D.

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.

Many people believe that rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires help protect you against lightning strikes. Unfortunately, this is not true.

When lightning strikes

Lightning can strike no matter how many precautions you take. Fortunately, most lightning strikes are not fatal. You can increase your risk of survival by reacting in the proper manner at the first sign of a strike.

Right before you are struck by lightning, you may feel your hair stand up on end, a tingle across your skin or crackling noises in your ears. If this occurs, squat down low to the ground while remaining on the balls of your feet, much like a baseball catcher. Cover your ears with your hands and bend your head down and between your knees.

Do not sit down on the ground. The goal is to minimize your contact with the ground and to make yourself less of a target for lightning. It is best to keep at least 15 feet away from any other person in this circumstance.

If you are struck by lightning, seek immediate medical care as soon as you are conscious. Even if you feel fine, the strike may have inflicted hidden damage to your heart or caused fractures in your skull or spine. More obvious injuries may be evident to your eyes, eardrums or lungs.

If you see someone else who has been struck, do not be afraid to administer care. One myth about lightning strikes is that a Good Samaritan can be shocked in the process of giving aid. In fact, people struck by lightning do not retain an electrical charge after the strike.

If someone near you has been struck by lightning, dial 911 immediately. Evaluate the victim's airway, breathing and circulation. If the victim has stopped breathing or has no heartbeat, begin mouth-to-mouth or cardiopulmonary (CPR) resuscitation.

Check for signs of shock or hypothermia, such as confusion and shortness of breath. Also check the person for signs of fractures or broken bones, such as pain and bruising. It is best not to move the victim unless it is required for safety reasons.

Understanding the risks of lightning and taking proper precautions are your best tools for avoiding injuries and accidents.