Be Careful In Storms — Lightning is Out There

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Unsplash

A few days ago three people were killed and four critically hurt in a lightning strike in Lafayette Square.

This kind of multiple fatality is rare, but it is almost always caused by the same thing.

Kids, never shelter from lightning under a lone tree.

If the tree is the highest thing in the area and is struck, the electricity goes out forming something called a ground current, which is potentially dangerous to anyone standing under or near the tree. The lightning can also jump from the tree to a person, but it’s usually the ground current.

Trees can also explode when struck, sending out shrapnel that can cause injury.

So, rule #1 is that you do not shelter under a tree. Forests are a little safer simply because the tree you are under is less likely to be the one which gets hit.

So, what should you do if there’s a storm?

Photo by Michael D on Unsplash

Lightning Safety

First of all, no place outdoors is entirely safe when lightning strikes. The ideal thing to do is get into a building and stay there.