Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-10-04
THUNDERSTORM
The Hest Place for safety when tho
Thunder Rolls and the Lightning


The Hest Place for safety when tho
Thunder Rolls and the Lightning
Flashes.
As the human body Is a good con-
ductor for the fluid, it becomes ever.t
one in heavy thundcr-shower TO seek
place Of safety. A thunder-bolt,
though seemingly at "the sport Of cir
cumstances," does move really in obe-
dienco to most perfect law. In descend
ing from surcharged cloud, IL seeks
the nearest and best conductor. /:
makes a zig-zag movement through
the air, because this element Is bad
conductor, and does all IL can TO resist
the intruder. The fire of the bolt it
self is but the consequence of its battle
with the air through which II fights
its way. Sometimes bolt passes from
one cloud TO another, and then the
thunder-peal is one long-continued re-
yerberatiOn. But when bolt strikes
the earth, the peal IL sudden, solid,
oolhttllllc5 utdltnlUp
AS sound travels ut the rate Of 1920
feet per second, and light with such
velocity that we need not here con-
slider it, the distance between the OBJ
server and the spot struck by the bolt
may be readily estimated. 1t is done
by counting the seconds intervening
between the flash and the report.
Thus: If ten seconds clapse. the dis.
tancc is ll,200 feet; if thirty seconds,
or half a minute $1,000 feet.
In case Of near and heavy dig
charges of electricity, it is always un.
safe to stand beneath n tree, because
it is a good conductor, or near large
rock, or mass of iron, or body Of
water. for the same reason. II is also
unsafe TO stand in an open field at a
considerable distance from any proIni-
ncnt object which might serve as
protector. II alone in such place, it
were well, in an electric battle, 10
draw near, but not too near, - some
rock or tree, or body Of water which
would be likely in your stead 10 take
the bolt, Refuge in a barn, especially
when filed with hay and grain and
cattle. should always be avoided
If in a house in a heavy thunder
storm, the doors and windows should
be closed, for lightning tends 70 follow
an atmospheric current, and hence 50
many persons are killed while standing
in 4 doorway. or while sitting at an
open window When lightning strikes
a dwelling-housc. it usually goes down
the chimney, or q corner Of the build
ing, runs along the walls, taking bell
wires. looking-glasses, lamps and other
metallic articles in its course. Hence
It Is always dangerous, when the storm
IS near, 10 remain in the corner Of
room, or 10 rest against the walls. or
near stove, or lamp. or looking-glass,
or, indeed. any good conductor Of clec.
tricity.
4 tall tree standing close ~ dwell
inghousc serves as a kind Of light
ning-rod; yet, sometimes, the fluid
leaves the tree. as it does a rod. and
enters the building; hence rooms thus
exposed should hc vacated till the
danger ceases. Perhaps the safest
place in a terrific thunderstorm is on
a hair or fca,her-bcd in tho center Of
q room well closed and without fire.
place OF much metallic furniture, in
tho lowest division Of the house. But
IL the room be carpctcd. n chair in
similar situation affords comparative
safety. - BOSt0H TrGr,V,r.