The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-07-25
SEEK SHELTER
IN ST0R MS
ADVICE GIVEN
Don't Be Afraid to Hide, Elk.
pert Says-Av0id the Open,
Trees and Screens
HOW LIGHTNING HITS

Milton, Mass, July 25.-Gct under
cover if possible when a thunder
storm threatens. If this is not prac-
ticable, lie down. That is the advice
which Alexander G. Meade, director
Of the Blue Hill Observatory in this
town and professor of meteor0logy at
Harvard University, gives in an OK
PLANTATION of the action Of lightning
prepared for The Associated Press.
He gives what he describes as "ten
good rules to help people take care
of themselves"
"In BATTLE" says Professor Nc
Adie, "a hundred bullets are fired for
each soldier killed. 1t is something
like this with lightning flashes. There
are hundred discharges for every
bolt of lightning that hits person.
Fortunately, too, of every hundred
streaks Of lightning about ninety arc
from cloud to cloud or spill-over
discharges of moderate electrical en-
| ergy and are mostly horizontal, doing
no damage whatever.
"About ten flashes in hundred
come vertically, that is, down to
earth ira straight line. Some flash
cs come sideways and seem to be
crooked, although there are really no
flashes zigzagging like the teeth of
saw as artists generally depict
lightning.
"The intense straight flashes are
the ones to be feared, and it is q sill
ly person who stands out in the OPP
en- when such flashes are seen. He
invites trouble, but the invitation is
not always accepted.
AT this time of the year thunder
storms are frequent and there arc a
! comparatively large number of fatal
accidents. One reads in the press
dispatches that four men are walk
ing along New Jersey beach during
thunderstorm. There is flash of
lightning, one man is killed out
right, one severely burned, and the
| others stunned.
Now there is no protection for a
case like this unless one could carry
around with him metallic cover
well grounded. The first rule is
then: Do not stay out on beach or
in field when dark, heavy clouds are
overhead or coming slowly from the
west or south. Get under cover if
possible. If this is not practicable,
lie down. Don't remain standing.
Second: Do not stand under q
tree with thick foliage. You are
forming part of the line Of dis
charge, since the body, more parti-
| cularly the skin if moist, is a better
conductor than the trunk Of the
tree. More people. are killed by
lightning in this way than probably
any other
"Third: Don't stand in the door
! way of barn or at window in
proximity to a chimney. There are
currents of air or winds, and the
lightning follows to some extent any
draft or column of rising air, espec-
tally warm air.
Fourth: Don't laugh at any ones
nervousness during a severe thunder
storm. There is good reason to be
nervous. Even if one is in a build
ing that is struck the damage is, in
ninety-eight cases out of hundred
confined to Tipping out plaster or
knocking off states and tearing off
any projecting timbers. But there
are times when the storm clouds de-
scend to earth and amid darkness
the flashes are heavy and numerous.
At such times there is danger. 1t is
dangerous to be near chimney or
tree or flagpole or meta!
clothes-linc.
Fifth: Stock should not be tied
near a wire fence.
"Sixth: There is no particular
sense in going to bed. Standing on
glass or rubber or any good insulator,
wooden blanket for example, will
give one a little more security and
great deal more confidence. The pro-
liability Of person in an ordinary
residence building being struck Is
very slight.
Seventh: If you are near a per
son who has been struck make every
effort to rcsuscitate him. Only
rarely does lightning kill outright
Mostly people are stunned, and all
that is needed is q little artificial
respiration to restore them to con-
seriousness. OF course get a doctor
quick.
Eighth: If you are in a trolly car
and flash comes in and burns the
fuses with a roar and a binding
flash, sit still. The danger is over,
and while you may be frightened you
are not likely to be hurt.
ninth: If you have a radio, bet
ter cut it out during thunder
storm. The antennae should be
grounded direct and all wires, as far
as possible, kept outside.
Tenth: II your house is provided
with good lightning rods you need
not have much fear. Moreover,
dwelling houses in city blocks are
practically safe"
-a- -. = Z.