The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-08-16
HOW TO ACT
THUNDERSTORM
Expert Gives Ten Rules to Follow
for Protection.
RUN TO COVER OR LIE DOWN

Get under cover II possible when
thundersterm threatens. II this Is nc
practicable, lie down. That is the az
vice which Alexander G.. Meade. d.
rector Of the Blue Hill observatory II
Milton, Mass, and professor Of me
~teorology at Harvard university, give
In an explanation of the action o
lightning prepared for the press. HI
gives what he describes as "ten goot
rules to help people take care OF
themselves"
I'm a BATTLE" says Professor Nc
Adie, 100 bullets are fired for eacf
soldier killed. 1t is something like
this with lightning flashes. There are
100 discharges for every bolt of light
ming that hits a person. Fortunately
too, of every 100 streaks of lightning
about 90 are from cloud to cloud, OF
spill-over discharges Of moderate cleo
trical energy and are mostly horizon
tai, doing no damage whatever.
Straight Flashes Most Dangerous.
about 10 flashes in 100 come YER
tically, that is, down to earth In a
straight line. Some flashes come side
ways Inc seem to be crooked, al
though there are really no flashes zig
tagging like the teeth of a saw as
artists generally depict lightning.
1.-THE intense straight flashes are the
ones to be feared, and it is a silly per-
son who stands out in the open when
such flashes are seen. He invites trOu-
BILE, but the invitation is not always
accepted.
AT this time of the year thunder
storms are frequent and there are a
comparatively large number of fatal
accidents. One reads in the press dis
patches that four men are walking
along a New Jersey beach during a
thunderstorm. There is a flash of
lightning, one man is killed outright,
one severely burned, and the others
stunned.
"Now, there is no protection for a
case like this unless one could carry
around with him a metallic cover, well
grounded. The first rule is then: Do
mo- stay out on a beach or in a 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.
80. Do not stand under a tree with
thick foliage. You are forming a part
of the line of discharge, since the
body, more particularly the skin, if
,,nict &c n kof+or aarI,ntor Than fbo
trunk of the tree. More people are
killed by lightning in this way than
probably any other.
"9. Don't stand In the doorway Of a
barn or at a window in proximity to a
chimney. There are currents Of air or
extent any draft or column of
rising air, especially warm air.
"Dsn't Laugh at Nervousness"
Il. Don't laugh at anyone's nerv-
BUSINESS during a sever thunder
storm. There is a good reason to be
nervous Even if n is in a building
hat is struck the damage Is, in 80
cases out Of 100, confined to ripping
plaster or knocking off states and
off any projecting timbers,
But there are times when the storm
LIQUIDS descend to earth n amid
darkness the flashes are heavy and
numerous. At such times there is dan
,er. 1t is dangerous to be near a Chin
ley or q tree or a f1agpole or a metal
l~othesline.
SO. Stock should not be tied neal a
wire fence.
IS. There is no particular sense in
DING to bed. Standing on glass or
ubber or any good insulator, a wooden
lanket, for example, will give one a
tile more security and a great deal
lore confidence. The probability of a
erson in an ordinary residence build
lg being struck is very slight.
81. If 0 are near a person who
as been struck, make every effort to
esuscitate him. Only rarely does
ghtning kill outright. Mostly people
re stunned, and all shat is needed is
little artificial respiration to re
ore them to consciousness. OF course,
ct a doctor quick.
"8. If you are In a trolley car and a
ash comes In and burns the fuses
18th a roa n a binding flash, sit
ill. The danger Is over, and while
)u may be frightened you are not
kelly to be hurt.
"9. If you have a radio, better cut it
1t during a thunderstorm. The an
should be grounded direct and
l wires, as far as possible, kept out
de.
40. If your house is provided with
cd lightning rods you need not have
UGH fear. Moreover, dwelling houses
city blocks are practically SAFE"