Imagine for a moment that you are outside, on a hot, dry summer day. You are enjoying yourself, but then the sky gets darker. Clouds block out the sun. In the distance, you see the bright flash of lightning and hear the booming clap of thunder. You hear it coming nearer, and fear that you may be struck.
Lightning is a powerful force of nature, but few truly understand exactly what it is. Lightning is electricity that is discharged from a cloud. It is like when you rub your shoes on the carpet on a dry day. Imagine that you are the cloud. There is static electricity in you, waiting to escape. The next person you touch (or any metal object) is the ground. Zap! You feel the jolt, and you may even see the light arching between your finger and the "ground". Lightning is the same, on a much larger scale.
Lightning is somewhat lazy, and will take the shortest path, striking the tallest object. That is why lightning strikes lightning rods, they are conductors and the tallest things around. The lightning rod diverts the electricity into the dirt, where it is harmless. There is no way to completely stop lightning, but if you're careful, you can avoid injury or death.
1Pay attention to the weather. The best way to avoid being struck by lightening is to stay away from storms. Always check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. If you notice that it may rain, be sure to arrive home as soon as possible or cancel the event. Even if there are no predictions of a storm, keep an eye on the clouds, as the forecast is not always accurate.
- When participating in outdoor activities, such as camping or hiking, be aware of the weather. Depending on your location, the weather may quickly change. Always be prepared to escape from a storm.
2Avoid open areas and tall objects. The taller the object, the more likely lightening will hit it, and the electricity might jump to you. Elevated or watery areas are also unsafe, as there is a higher chance of you being hit by lightening. It's recommended that you take shelter in lower, dry areas. Stay low by crouching with your head in between your knees and covering your ears with your hands. Press your heels together, as this will prevent electricity from reaching your heart if you're struck. Avoid completely flattening yourself on the ground.
3Stay away from objects that may conduct electricity. Fences and metal poles are examples that are commonly found outdoors. If you're carrying metal objects that stick out, quickly remove them. While smaller metal items, such as piercings or electronic devices, are of no risk, the ones that protrude from you and are isolated endanger you. Umbrellas are an example.
4Take shelter in a car. Although they're mostly made of metal, they're one of the safest places to be during storms. If the car is struck by lightening, it will travel through the metal in the car and around your body (not through it) and safely into the ground. Place your hands in your lap, and don't let your body come into contact with the items inside, such as the steering wheel or door handles.
Can you please explain how a lightning rod functions?
- A lightning rod is a tall, metal rod that is placed on a building's roof. It has a copper wire running through it that connects to a conductive grid buried underground. When lightning strikes it, it causes the electricity to run through the rod and into the grid. This system helps to carry the electricity away from the building and into the ground, rendering it harmless.
Since lightning tends to strike tall things, does that mean lying flat on the ground is a good idea?
- No, because in addition to not being tall, you also want to minimize your contact with the ground. An electric current zapping through the ground nearby could pass straight through your vital organs if you are lying down. The best compromise is to crouch down with your feet together to minimize the chance of damage to your heart and other critical organs.
What can I do if I am riding a bicycle when the lightning happens?
- Stay away from the bicycle. While it's not a tall object, it's still made of metal and can conduct electricity. Even if lightning strikes a few feet away, the bicycle will still attract a lightning channel which will hurt you if you're nearby. Move away from it to a safe spot, then return only after the lightning has passed by.
Can lightning strike twice in the same place?
- Despite the popular myth saying it doesn't, lightning can strike the same place or object twice. Once it has struck a place, all it has to do is recharge. The previously hit spot has the same chance of being hit as any other location.
- Don't be near water and don't use any electronic objects.
- Check the weather ahead of time.
- There is a simple way to tell about how far away lightning just struck. When you see lightning, count how many seconds pass until you hear thunder (since light travels faster than sound). Divide that number by five and that is the approximate distance in miles.
- If you are in a house during a lightning storm, avoid taking a shower or bath, stay away from electrical outlets and things plugged into them, and don't use phones, computers, etc.
- You can also tell how far away lightning is by the sound of the thunder. If lightning strikes close, the thunder will sound like a sudden crash. If lightning is in the distance, the thunder will roll and rumble.
- Getting hit by lightning can kill you instantly. The best thing you can do to reduce the risk of being struck is to not be caught outdoors in a thunderstorm. Check your local forecast if you plan on being outside all day.
- If your hair begins to stand on end or you feel a tingling sensation, get inside immediately. This is a sign that a lightning strike is imminent.
- When finding a ditch to avoid getting struck, watch for flash flooding.
In other languages:
Español: evitar que te caiga un rayo, Deutsch: Vermeiden von einem Blitz getroffen zu werden, Português: Evitar Ser Atingido Por um Raio, Italiano: Evitare di Essere Colpito da un Fulmine, Русский: избежать удара молнии
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