Lightning Safety Tips: What to Do During a Thunderstorm

Peak Lightning Season and Risks

• ⚡ The peak season for lightning strikes and fatalities in the United States is June, July, and August due to increased outdoor activities.
• ⚠️ Many people underestimate their personal risk, believing lightning strikes only happen to others.
• 🎯 Recent incidents highlight the dangers, including a fatality at a New Jersey archery range and injuries to Boy Scouts, a skier, and a teenager on a boat.

Recognizing and Reacting to Thunderstorms

• ☁️ Key signs of an approaching thunderstorm include clouds getting taller and darker.
• 👂 The most crucial indicator of danger is the ability to hear thunder, which means you are within the lightning's strike zone.
• 🏃 If thunder is heard, the immediate priority is to get inside a safe structure as quickly as possible.

Seeking Shelter When Indoors or Outdoors

• 🚗 If immediate shelter is unavailable, move towards a fully enclosed metal vehicle or a substantial building with electrical and plumbing systems.
• 🚫 Avoid crouching down, standing still, or seeking refuge under a tree, as these actions increase risk.
• 🏠 Even inside, avoid contact with plumbing and electrical devices like phones plugged into the wall or video game controllers, as electricity can travel through these systems.

Responding to a Lightning Strike Victim

• 🚑 If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately and administer first aid.
• ❤️ The victim does not hold an electric charge, so it is safe to perform CPR if they are not breathing.
• ✅ Prompt first aid and medical attention significantly increase the likelihood of survival.