SafeTips
Lightning

1. Once a bolt of lighting flashes toward the ground, it strikes the tallest object in a predetermined, 50-yard radius. In other words, it won't "look for" a tall tree that is 100 yards away from you.
2. If a bolt is going to hit near you, don't be the tallest thing within that 50-yard radius.
3. The only completely safe approach is to avoid being exposed.
4. Given a choice, get inside a building. Your second choice is a car or truck.
5. If you are already in an exposed location when a storm hits, your options are limited:
   • Stay as low as you can, to avoid being the highest object.
   • Squat down, but don't lay flat. You don't want your whole body touching the ground if lightning hits nearby, because the current will spread outward.
6. If you're in the woods, avoid the tallest trees but stay away from clearings that are more than 100 yards across.
7. You can usually hear thunder 10 miles away, unless the noise of rain and wind interferes. When you see lightning, count the number of seconds until you hear thunder. Sounds travels one mile every five seconds. Most experts recommend 30 seconds (6 miles) as the signal for you to stop what you're doing and get to a safe location.
8. The typical lightning threat lasts less than an hour.
9. Wait 30 minutes after you see the last lightning bolt or hear the last thunder before going back to golfing, fishing, or whatever else you were doing outdoors.
10. Water does not "attract" lightning, but it is a great conductor. Lightning has killed or injured people who were swimming, wading, fishing, boating and surfing. Since ponds and lakes tend to be cooler than nearby land during the summer, thunderstorms are less likely to build or continue to develop over them.
11. A car protects you from lightning because the lightning will follow its metal structure to the ground. But don't leave the windows down, because the lightning can jump into the car.

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