Seeking safety in lightning storms

Emergency management agencies offer tips

Monday, June 27, 2005

GALESBURG - Every year an average of 67 people in the United States are killed by lightning, more than by tornadoes or hurricanes and second only to flash flooding deaths. More than 1,000 others are injured.

As part of Lightning Safety Awareness Week, the Illinois and Knox County Emergency Management agencies are offering safety tips to stay safe during lightning storms.

Although thunderstorms with lightning can occur any time of year, more people are outside and most of the lightning fatalities and injuries happen during the summer.

No place outside is safe during a lightning storm. Take shelter inside a sturdy building. The second best place is in a hard-topped vehicle with the windows up.

If outside when a storm strikes, safety tips include:

Avoid carports, porches, garages, sheds, tents, baseball dugouts or under bleachers.

Get away from water. Stop activities in or near water, such as swimming, boating, fishing and camping.

Stay away from trees, electrical poles or other tall objects.

If your hair stands on end or you experience a tingling sensation, lightning may soon strike. Do not lie flat on the ground. Crouch down on the balls of your feet to create the lowest profile.

Safety tips also should be practiced when inside a house:

Avoid contact with corded phones. Phone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries.

Stay away from windows and exterior doors.

Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. Anyone who wants to unplug electric equipment should do so before the storm arrives.

Stay away from plumbing and plumbing fixtures. Do not take a shower or bath during a thunderstorm and avoid dishwashers, washing machines and electric hot water heaters.

In Illinois, an estimated 650,000 cloud to ground lightning strikes occur every year. In the past 40 years, lightning has killed 96 people in Illinois and in 2001, Illinois ranked second in the nation for lightning fatalities.

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On the Net:

Illinois Emergency Management Agency - www.state.il.us/iema.

National Lightning Safety Institute - www.lightningsafety.com.

National Weather Service - www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.