Lightning Safety
It avoids the ocean, but likes Florida. It's attracted to the Himalayas and even more so to central Africa. And either lightning is attracted to testosterone, or men spend an inordinate amount of time outdoors swinging metal objects. Because men are four times more likely to be struck by lightning than women.
When you hear thunder, you are already within the range where the next ground flash may occur. Most lightning injuries can be avoided by taking a few precautionary measures:
- Find shelter before the storm hits. Lightning is present in all thunderstorms and can strike up to 10 miles away from the rain that usually accompanies a storm.
- Seek shelter in a building or a car. Avoid being near any tall objects that could help conduct the lightning, such as a tree, flagpole or similar items.
- Lightning can still pose a risk when you are indoors. Turn off appliances, disconnect sensitive electronic equipment and avoid using the telephone.
- Obviously, avoid high ground, open water and being near metal objects such as golf clubs, fences or tools.
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