News & Events

Safety Tips: lightning

With hurricane season upon us, the frequency of electrical storms, or storms that produce lightning as well as rain, will be steadily increasing. Due to the more normal appearance of lightning, understanding how to properly react if caught inside a thunderstorm can be lifesaving.

Naturally, many people tend to run for cover during a thunderstorm, as something above you should prevent the lightning from striking you, thus rendering you safe. However, many forms of cover do not actually protect from lightning, and while it is certainly safer to go inside, it does not guarantee safety. Concrete floors and walls are typically reinforced with metal bars to maintain the structure of the building, which allows the potent electricity emitted by a lightning strike to travel through the concrete and cause injury. One-third of injuries from lightning strikes actually occur indoors because people are unaware of the dangers their house can pose to their wellbeing.

Electrical systems within your home are another common cause of injury, as lightning can travel through items such as radios and television systems. It is imperative to remember that both electrical and water systems within your home have the capacity to carry an electrical current, so avoiding the usage of any such systems will decrease the already slim chances of being affected by a lightning strike.

While very few people actually feel the effects of a lightning strike, those who do will certainly testify to its immense power and advise that any small precautions you can take to avoid a lightning strike are certainly in your best interest.