Milford chronicle., 1947-12-12
lightning Causes
Small Death Toll
Electrical Engineers Give
Safety Tips To Avoid
Unnecessary Risk.


WASHINGTON. - Electrical engi-
neers at the national bureau of
standards, who make special
study OF protection against light
ming, say that many persons over
estimate the margin Of safety. They
take unnecessary risks because Of
previous immunity in many thun-
derstorrns and realization that the
death toll Is relatively small-about
375. 900 to one
In recent years an average Of $40
persons mas been killed by lightning
annually. according to reports to
the national Office of vital statistics.
That means about one fatality to
every SIS, 900 persons.
II is not necessary to dive under
bed or scramble for a closet dur
ing q Thunderstorm. but 1t Is q good
idea. say the engineers, to use sem
sible precautions.
some Safety rips.
Here are some safety tips from
the bureau of standards experts:
The danger of being struck gem
orally is much greater outdoors
than in house. even though the
house is not specially protected.
Keep away from lone trees. wire
fences, long wire clotheslihes and
other prominent objects likely to be
hit by lightning and to carry the
current long distance.
Isolated trees are particularly
dangerous. Metropolitan Life Insur-
ance company made q study Of
death claim records OF insured per-
sons killed by lightning in the 1941-
IS period. It shows one-third OF
them lost their lives when they
sought shelter under trees.
Open sheds or small outbuildings
away from large buildings are al
most as dangerous as lone trees.
IL outdoors in an electric storm,
look for a depression in the ground
deep valley. the foot Of q steer
cliff OK dense woods.
II you are on a golf course and
see thunderheads approaching, gei
under cover.
Bathing beaches can be quite
hazardous.
Places described rs perfectly
safe are rooms entirely sur
rounded by metal. underground
rooms or rooms in a steeI-framec
building The next safest place is .
well-rodded house. but even there
some precautions are advised.
what to Do in q Home.
The bureau of standards advise.
all to keep away from those part.
of outside walls near the place.
where lightning conductors pas.
into the earth" Also stay ava,
from electrical wiring. telephone:
and large metal objects. The vicin
ity Of downspouts on the exterior O.
houses is dangerous.
II you are in the house during 9
thunderstorm take a position a:
near the middle of the room as prac
ticable but do not get under an cleo
trio lighting fixture.
Automobiles and trains are rates
as good shelters from lightning
their steel bodies apparently serv
ing as metallic shields. Airplane
are generally quite safe for tn
same reason. On the other han
persons in small boats are likely
De conspicuous targets.
Do not take literally the old adag
that lightning never strikes twic
IN the same place" It hits naturs
targets like the Washington mont
ment. the Empire State building
tall trees and church steeples wit
great frequency.
A striking repeat occurred
few years ago on a beach near Ne
York City. Three persons wei
killed and II injured by bolt whic
hit in almost the same spot ar
within day Of the same date {
which lightning had killed the sam
number the year before.
About nine-tenths OF the nghtnlr
casualties are in rural district
Men and boys are the chief victim
Of lightning, owing to their great'
a. u L. A