"If there's lightning, lay down flat on the ground! Seek shelter under a tree! And don't touch someone who's been struck or you'll get shocked!" How many lightning myths have you heard?
The truth is if you lay down on the ground, you're more exposed to electrical currents running underground! Never seek shelter from lightning under a tree. It is actually the second leading cause of lightning fatalities! And if someone is struck by lightning, don't be scared to assist him or her immediately. The human body does not store electricity, and helping them immediately could be essential to their survival!
Before you go out in the rain, it is crucial to know your facts.
· Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it's a tall, pointy, isolated object.
· A house is a safe place to be during a thunderstorm as long as you avoid anything that conducts electricity.
· Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. The presence of metal makes absolutely no difference on where lightning strikes.
Keep yourself and others safe by being lighting aware. Lightning Safety Week begins June 22! For more information on lightning, visit the NOAA lightning page. And for thunderstorm safety tips visit thehttp://www.ready.gov/thunderstorms-lightning.