TOP-10 MYTHS OF LIGHTNING SAFETY![](media/image1.png){width="0.66875in"
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1.  MYTH: Lightning Never Strikes The Same Place Twice

> TRUTH: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially
> if it's a tall pointy isolated object. The Empire\
> State Building used to be used as a lightning laboratory, since it is
> hit nearly 25 times a year. Places prone\
> to lightning are places to avoid when thunderstorms are nearby!

2.  MYTH: If It's Not Raining, Or If Clouds Aren't Overhead, I'm Safe
    From Lightning

> TRUTH: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the
> thunderstorm, far outside the rain or even\
> thunderstorm cloud. 'Bolts From The Blue', though infrequent, can
> strike 10-15 Miles from the thunderstorm.\
> Anvil lightning can strike the ground over 50 Miles from the
> thunderstorm, under extreme conditions.\
> Lightning in clouds has traveled over 100 miles from the thunderstorm.

3.  MYTH: Rubber Tires Protect You From Lightning In A Car By Insulating
    You From The Ground

> TRUTH: Lightning laughs at two inches of rubber! Most cars are
> reasonably safe from lightning. But it's the metal\
> roof and metal sides that protect you, not the rubber tires. Thus
> convertibles, motorcycles, bicycles, open\
> shelled outdoor recreational vehicles, and cars with plastic or
> fiberglass shells offer no lightning protection.\
> Likewise, farm and construction vehicles with open cockpits offer no
> lightning protection. But closed cockpits\
> with metal roof and sides are safer than going outside. And don't even
> ask about sneakers! 

4.  MYTH: A Lightning Victim Is Electrified. If You Touch Them, You'll
    Be Electrocuted.

> TRUTH: The human body doesn't store electricity. It is perfectly safe
> to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid.\
> This is the most chilling of lightning myths. Imagine someone dying
> needlessly, for want of simple CPR or\
> mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, when their chances of survival was
> \~90%!

5.  MYTH: If Outside In A Thunderstorm, Go Under A Tree To Stay Dry

> TRUTH: Being underneath trees is the second leading activity for
> lightning casualties -- enough said?!

6.  MYTH: I'm In A House, I'm Safe From Lightning

> TRUTH: While a house is a good place for lightning safety, just going
> inside isn't enough. You must avoid any\
> conducting path leading outside, such as corded telephones, electrical
> appliances, wires, TV cables,\
> plumbing (including plastic pipes with water in them), metal doors or
> window frames, etc. Don't stand near a\
> window to watch the lightning. An inside room is generally best.

7.  MYTH: When Playing Sports And Thunderstorms Threaten, It's Okay To
    Finish The Game Before Seeking Shelter

> TRUTH: Sports is the activity with the fastest rising rate of
> lightning casualties. No game is worth death or life‑long\
> severe injury. All people associated with sports should have a
> lightning safety plan and stick to it strictly.\
> Seek proper shelter immediately when lightning threatens. Adults are
> responsible for the safety of children!

8.  MYTH: Structures With Metal, Or Metal On The Body (Jewelry, Watches,
    Glasses, Backpacks, Etc.), Attract Lightning

> TRUTH: Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors
> controlling where a lightning bolt will strike. The\
> presence of metal makes virtually no difference on where lightning
> strikes. Mountains are made of stone, but\
> receive many strikes each year. When lightning threatens, take proper
> protective action immediately. Don't\
> waste time shedding metal off your body, or seeking shelter under
> inadequate structures. But while metal\
> doesn't attract lightning, touching or being near long metal objects
> (fences, railings, bleachers, vehicles, etc.)\
> is still unsafe when thunderstorms are nearby. If lightning does
> happen to hit it, the metal can conduct the\
> electricity a long distance (even over 100 yards) and still
> electrocute you.

9.  MYTH: If Trapped Outside And Lightning Is About To Strike, Lie Flat
    On The Ground

> ![](media/image2.wmf){width="1.0in"
> height="0.8659722222222223in"}TRUTH: This advice is decades out of
> date. Better advice is to use the 'Lightning Crouch': put your feet
> together,\
> squat low, tuck your head, and cover your ears. Lightning induces
> electric currents along the top of the\
> ground that can be deadly over 100 Feet away. While lying flat on the
> ground gets you as low as possible,\
> which is good, it increases your chance of being hit by a ground
> current, which is bad. The best combination\
> of being low and touching the ground as little as possible is the
> 'Lightning Crouch'. But the 'Lightning\
> Crouch' should be used only as a last resort. Much better would be to
> plan outdoor activities around the\
> weather to avoid thunderstorm exposure and to have proper shelter
> available.

10. MYTH: Go near a tall pointy isolated object when thunderstorms
    threaten, to be within the 45° "cone of protection"

> TRUTH: The "cone of protection" is a myth! While tall pointy isolated
> objects are statistically more likely to be struck\
> by lightning, it's not nearly reliable enough to rely on for safety.
> Lightning can still strike you near the tall\
> object. Besides, the lightning electricity will likely spread out
> along the surface of the ground and can still kill\
> you over 100 Ft from the "protecting" object. Also, if you are close
> to or touching the tall object, you can be\
> electrocuted via side flash or contact voltage. NO PLACE OUTSIDE IS
> SAFE NEAR A THUNDERSTORM!

In lightning safety, a "myth" is not as good as a mile . Distance and
proper shelter is your best protection from lightning.