Lightning Safety for You 

and Your Family

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

Each year in the United States, more than 400 people are 

struck by lightning. On average, between 55 and 60 people 

are killed; hundreds of others suffer permanent neurological 

disabilities. Most of these tragedies can be avoided with a few 

simple precautions. When thunderstorms threaten, get to a 

safe place. Lightning safety is an inconvenience that can save 

your life. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) collects information on weather-related deaths to 

learn how to prevent these tragedies. Many lightning victims 

say they were “caught” outside in the storm and couldn’t get 

to a safe place. With proper planning, these tragedies could be 

prevented.

Other victims waited too long before seeking shelter. By 

heading to a safe place 5 to 10 minutes sooner, they could 

have avoided being struck by lightning.

Some people were struck because they went back outside 

too soon. Stay inside a safe building or vehicle for at least 

30 minutes after you hear the last thunder clap. 

Finally, some victims were struck inside homes or buildings 

while they were using electrical equipment or corded phones. 

Others were in contact with plumbing, a metal door or a 

window frame. Avoid contact with these electrical conductors 

when a thunderstorm is nearby! 

What You Might Not Know About Lightning

All thunderstorms produce lightning and are 

dangerous. In the United States, in an average year, 

lightning kills about the same number of people as 

tornadoes and more people than hurricanes.

Lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain 

and may strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. 

Many lightning deaths occur ahead of storms or after 

storms have seemingly passed.

If you can hear thunder, you are in danger. Don’t 

be fooled by blue skies. If you hear thunder, lightning is 

close enough to pose an immediate threat.

Lightning leaves many victims with permanent disabilities. 

While a small percentage of lightning strike victims 

die, many survivors must learn to live with very serious 

lifelong pain and neurological disabilities.

Avoid the Lightning Threat

Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you’ll go for 

safety and how much time it will take to get there. Make 

sure your plan allows enough time to reach safety.

Postpone activities. Before going outdoors, check 

the forecast for thunderstorms. Consider postponing 

activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.

Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing 

thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning 

or increasing wind. 

Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant 

rumble, immediately move to a safe place. Fully enclosed 

buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the best 

protection. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered 

porches do NOT protect you from lightning. If a sturdy 

building is not nearby, get into a hard-topped metal 

vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until 

30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder. 

If you hear thunder, don’t use a corded phone except 

in an emergency. Cordless phones and cell phones are 

safe to use.

Keep away from electrical equipment and wiring. 

Water pipes conduct electricity. Don’t take a bath or 

shower or use other plumbing during a storm.

Organized Outdoor Activities

Many people enjoy outdoor activities. It’s essential for the 

people in charge of these activities to understand the dangers 

of lightning, have a lightning safety plan in place, and follow 

the plan once thunder is heard or lightning is seen. Many 

outdoor activities rely on volunteer leaders, coaches or sports 

officials to make safety decisions. Make sure the leaders of 

these activities follow a lightning safety plan. Don’t be afraid 

to ask, and don’t be afraid to speak out during an event if 

conditions become unsafe. You could save a life! 
NWS lightning links, forecasts, assessments:

 http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards:

 http://www.weather.gov/nwr

American Red Cross: 

 http://www.redcross.org

Federal Emergency Management Agency: 

 http://www.fema.gov

Weather 

Safety: 

Lightning

Lightning 

Safety for You 

and Your 

Family

What You Should Know About Being 

Caught Outside Near a Thunderstorm 

There is no safe place outside in a thunderstorm. Plan 

ahead to avoid this dangerous situation! If you’re outside and 

hear thunder, the only way to significantly reduce your risk 

of becoming a lightning casualty is to get inside a substantial 

building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can. In 

addition, you should avoid the following situations which 

could increase your risk of becoming a lightning casualty. 

Remember – there is no substitute for getting to a safe place.

Avoid open areas. Don’t be the tallest object in the area.

Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility 

poles. Lightning tends to strike the taller objects in an 

area.

Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or 

fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can 

travel long distances through it.

If you are with a group of people, spread out. While this 

actually increases the chance that someone might get struck, 

it tends to prevent multiple casualties, and increases the 

chances that someone could help if a person is struck.

Act Fast If Someone Is Struck by Lightning!

Lightning victims do not carry an electrical charge, 

are safe to touch, and need urgent medical attention. 

Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death for those 

who die. Some deaths can be prevented if the victim 

receives the proper first aid immediately.

Call for help. Call 9-1-1 or your local ambulance service.

Give first aid. Do not delay CPR if the person is 

unresponsive or not breathing. Use an Automatic 

External Defibrillator if one is available.

If possible, move the victim to a safer place. Lightning 

can strike twice. Don’t become a victim. 

Stay Informed About Storms

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards

There are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground 

lightning flashes in the U.S. each year. While the National 

Weather Service (NWS) issues severe thunderstorm watches 

and warnings for storms that produce damaging wind or hail, 

watches and warnings are NOT issued for lightning. When 

you hear thunder, there is an immediate lightning danger.

As a further safety measure, consider purchasing a 

portable, battery-powered, tone-alert NOAA Weather Radio 

All Hazards. The radio will allow you to monitor any 

short-term forecasts for changing weather conditions. 

The tone-alert feature can automatically alert you when the 

NWS issues a severe thunderstorm watch or warning. 

Remember, When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!

 For More Information

YPA-200951