Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-01-11
DODGING THE LIGHTNING
BY FREDERIC J. HAsKIE.

HERE is only one peril that is shared by every
one in practically the degree. Irrespective
u of age occupation That is the danger
from lightning. You avoid the risk of being run
over by keeping to quiet streets; you can shun all
chance of contagion; if fear railway accidents,
you abstain travel; when the lightning
begins to flash and strike, everybody must run GER
tain risk 1t is possible to minimize that risk, how
ever. by knowing what to do in thunderstorm, and
that is what gives wide interest to the results of
searching investigation of lightning just completed
Every year 1900 people struck by light
ning to greater less degree. 1t may
anomalous to speak of being slightly struck
by lightning but a matter of fact the popular idea
that lightning has to strike twice in the
place is largely only about one-thrd of
the $500, 500 people, killed outright by
the thunderbolt. The remaining 1000, however,
subjected grave injuries that often prove permanent
Most of them could have saved themselves by taking
proper precautions.
There is place in the path a thunderstorm
that not liable to be struck by tnunderbos 1t is
possible, however, for people absolutely
from lightning stroke though the bolts fall about
them, If the shelter which surrounds them of
a nature that they will protected should the
shelter itself be struck. Any spot completely
surrounded by network of metal is absolutely SAFE
and hence steelframe building obviates the need for
anxiety during thunderstorm An underground
chamber of any sort absolutely secure, but
with the exception of places such these there is
always some slight risk
The degree of safety is found in houses prop
erly protected by lightning rods If the protective
system is properly installed, high degree safety
be attained, though for person troubled by
instructive fear of lightning enough
to make things interesting Any a house, pro-
tected or unprotected is better than shelter under
tree or in barn. or a position out in the OPEN
Even when lightning a house there is. at least
chance in two that it will anybody inside
Even If the occupants hit, they more likely to
be injured than killed. On the nand you take
shelter under tree and lightning gets tree your
chances are Slim They still simmer if happen
to be walking about in the open, and play leading
part in conducting the flash the cloud to the
ground.
possible minimize still risk you
inside house by keeping away from dangerous
places draft is bad, almost everyone has heard
Near the telephone is place to be caught during
thunderstorm, and unless there is something partic
ularly communicate it had better wait until
the flashes Perhaps the most dangerous place
is whose existence you hardly suspect.
1t lies between of metal the outside of
the building and the inside for instance.
line between a water-spout and radiator This
dangerous because the lightning will probably strike
the waterspout if it strikes the house. and running
down the metal, it often leaps to other nearby
path, such that furnished by the radiator If
in between the two regret intrusion.
Chimneys also danger spots during thunder
storm, and it is best keep away from any
communicates with the exterior of building,
a ventilator pipe a screen door lightning is a
freaklsh ana eccentric phenomenon, and Its path
through a building may include almost anything,
these the channels it is most likely follow. In
any event the chance of being injured
house is small that it is hardly worth worrying
about, Those who constitutionally timid
matter reduce the slight hazard by bearing
the facts mentioned above, but of the lightning
risk out of DOORS
The statement that house is safe place in a
thunderstorm not be taken as applying also to
barns Lightning to have particular fondness
for pying its hand long-range shots barns. Some
experts this is to the fact that
drv air in barn favors passage of electricity. At
any rate, a is very shelter. Even worse is
a tree that stands out by ITSELF in meadow or
bald hillside. If the lightning hits anything in that
neghborhood, will probably pick the tree For the
same reason it is poor policy to wander around in
open field treeless plain when lightning is