Lightning Safety Week 2020

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

2020 has been full of curveballs so far but this is something we can get ahead of. In a few weeks is National Lightning Safety Awareness week. June 21st to June 27th to be exact. The annual week for this is important because it raises awareness and is a great reminder on how to stay safe when lightning occurs. This week was created 20 years ago and Lightning fatalities have decreased significantly ever since. 

Facts

1 Bolt of Lightning is so potent it is more than 5 times hotter than the surface of the sun! A heat 5 times hotter than a summer sun? Crazy!

In America, lightning strikes the ground around 25 million times each year and causes 28 fatalities per year on average.

Many victims were caught in storms during work and leisure activities while their attention was not focused on the weather change around them. Water-related activities made up 34% of these fatalities. Always make sure to mind your surroundings and to be cognizant of what is going on. 

Safety 

Always make sure to monitor the weather forecast. DO NOT go in the water or swimming if the forecast calls for rain, thunder or lightning. When lightning occurs, do not touch electrical equipment, do not do plumbing of any sort, do not hang out on the porch or balconies. 

Lightning can enter structures by either a direct strike, through wires or pipes that extend outside and through the ground. It is important to seek shelter in either a building with electricity and plumbing or a metal-topped vehicle with the windows closed.

Always keep all of this in mind and have a safe & fun summer!