![]() ![]() Being in a vehicle is safer than being outside however, if you have time, drive to the closest sturdy building, and take shelter inside.You could also be killed or injured by strong winds blowing down trees and branches. It is dangerous to take shelter under a tree as it is the leading cause of death from lightning strikes.Sheds, gazebos, dugouts, and bleachers do not protect from lightning and high winds.If you are caught outside in a thunderstorm, keep moving toward a safe shelter. Remember, no place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area. ![]() Lightning can travel through plumbing and water lines. Avoid using devices connected to electrical outlets.Lightning can be dangerous even when you are inside.Stay inside until weather forecasts indicate it is safe to leave. When you hear thunder, seek shelter inside a sturdy building and move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor.Postpone outdoor activities if the forecast calls for thunderstorms. Pay attention to weather alerts and local information.Despite a popular misconception that touching someone who has been struck will administer a shock, lightning victims don't carry any electrical charge, the CDC says. It's perfectly safe to touch someone who was struck by lightning – and is encouraged if that person needs immediate first aid. Will you be electrocuted if you touch someone who was hit by lightning? Lightning strikes behind the scoreboard at Coors Field during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies on Jin Denver, Colorado. It had the most lightning deaths in the country last year – four out of 19 total – and has had more than 2,000 lightning injuries within the past half-century. ![]() Those in Florida, however, are at a slightly elevated risk, as the state is known as the "lightning capital" of the U.S. It's estimated that about 180 people get struck by lightning every year, with about 10% of those people dying from the incidents. The CDC says that males are "four times more likely than females to be struck by lightning," with most victims being those who are more regularly engaging in outdoor activities, most notably, construction workers and farmers.īut the overall odds of being struck are slim – just a one-in-a-million chance any given year, the CDC says. Are men more likely than women to be hit with lightning?Īs strange as it may sound, this is actually true. NOAA warns that "if you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you." As soon as you hear the "boom," it's time to move indoors and follow the aforementioned tips for at least least 30 minutes after you hear the last crash of thunder. And despite the long-held myth, the CDC says that it can often strike in the same spot repeatedly – "especially a tall, pointy, isolated object." New York City's Empire State Building serves as a prime example, with the CDC saying that it gets hit by lightning about 23 times a year. Lightning strikes the Empire State Building lit in green for Earth Day above the skyline of midtown Manhattan in New York City on April 22, 2023, as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. The CDC warns that seeking shelter under a tree during a storm is the second-leading cause of lightning deaths. You should also avoid any outdoor bodies of water. NOAA also recommends immediately leaving any kind of elevated area, including hills and mountain ridges, and avoiding hiding under cliffs or rocky overhangs. ".If there are no safe shelters in sight, crouch down in a ball-like position: put your feet together, squat low, tuck your head, and cover your ears. "Lightning causes electric currents along the top of the ground that can be deadly more than 100 feet away," the agency says. When it comes to thunder and lightning, "no place outside is safe," the CDC says, emphasizing that above anything else, you should not lie on the ground outdoors. What do you do if you're stuck outside in a storm? Lightning strikes over a home in Oceanside, California as a fast-moving storm passed through San Diego County on Octoin Oceanside, California. Corded phones, on the other hand, should be avoided. According to the CDC, cell phones and other types of cordless phones are safe to use inside, as long as they are not plugged into an outlet. The answer to this question depends on the type of phone you are planning on using. The CDC says that plastic plumbing could reduce the risk of getting shocked by lightning during a thunderstorm, but the only sure way to prevent this type of shock is by avoiding indoor activities or chores altogether when thunder and lightning are brewing in the sky. That includes not only bathing, but also washing dishes or even your hands at these times. "It is best to avoid all water during a thunderstorm." "Lightning can travel through plumbing," the agency says. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |