Indoor Safety

Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct
contact with electricity. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do
not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

What should you not do during a lightning storm?

Do not touch any electrical outlets during a storm. Do not unplug any devices during
a lightning storm, as the strike could be transferred to you. ... Most concrete has a
wire mesh which can conduct electricity. Stay out of the bathtub or shower, and avoid
indoor swimming pools.

Is it dangerous to take a bath during a lightning storm?

Is it safe to take a shower or bath during a lightning storm? No. Li
 Indoor Safety
Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct
contact with electricity. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do
not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

What should you not do during a lightning storm?

Do not touch any electrical outlets during a storm. Do not unplug any devices during
a lightning storm, as the strike could be transferred to you. ... Most concrete has a
wire mesh which can conduct electricity. Stay out of the bathtub or shower, and avoid
indoor swimming pools.

Is it dangerous to take a bath during a lightning storm?

Is it safe to take a shower or bath during a lightning storm? No. Lightning can
travel through plumbing. It is best to avoid all water during a lightning storm.

Should you stay away from windows during a lightning storm?

The reason you are supposed to stay away from windows is because the glass could
shatter and send pieces flying in all directions. A lightning bolt would explode the
glass window before it would travel through the glass. ... Lightning can also travel
through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

What are 5 safety tips for lightning?

Safety precautions indoors
 Avoid water during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through plumbing.
 Avoid electronic equipment of all types. Lightning can travel through electrical systems
and radio and television reception systems.
 Avoid corded phones. ...
 Avoid concrete floors and walls
What are safety precautions for thunderstorms?

If caught outside, take shelter in a sturdy enclosed building or hard top automobile
immediately. Avoid open spaces, isolated objects, high ground and metallic objects. Get
out of boats and away from bodies of water. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.

What is the 30 30 rule for lightning?

Lightning 30/30 rule: If it takes less than 30 seconds to hear thunder after seeing the
flash, lightning is near enough to pose a threat; after the storm ends, wait 30 minutes
before resuming outdoor activities.

Can I watch TV during a thunderstorm?

That's why it's an advantage to disconnect electrical appliances such as your TV. It isn't
dangerous to watch TV during a thunderstorm, but the electronics in a TV set are
vulnerable. Over-voltages resulting from a lightning strike may follow electrical
conductors into the handset. Don't shelter under large trees.
 ghtning can travel through plumbing. It is best to avoid all water during a lightning
storm.

Should you stay away from windows during a lightning storm?

The reason you are supposed to stay away from windows is because the glass could
shatter and send pieces flying in all directions. A lightning bolt would explode the
glass window before it would travel through the glass. ... Lightning can also travel
through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

What are 5 safety tips for lightning?

Safety precautions indoors
 Avoid water during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through plumbing.
 Avoid electronic equipment of all types. Lightning can travel through electrical systems
and radio and television reception systems.
 Avoid corded phones. ...
 Avoid concrete floors and walls
What are safety precautions for thunderstorms?

If caught outside, take shelter in a sturdy enclosed building or hard top automobile
immediately. Avoid open spaces, isolated objects, high ground and metallic objects. Get
out of boats and away from bodies of water. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you
are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.

What is the 30 30 rule for lightning?

Lightning 30/30 rule: If it takes less than 30 seconds to hear thunder after seeing the
flash, lightning is near enough to pose a threat; after the storm ends, wait 30 minutes
before resuming outdoor activities.

Can I watch TV during a thunderstorm?

That's why it's an advantage to disconnect electrical appliances such as your TV. It isn't
dangerous to watch TV during a thunderstorm, but the electronics in a TV set are
vulnerable. Over-voltages resulting from a lightning strike may follow electrical
conductors into the handset. Don't shelter under large trees.
Can lightning kill you?
You're dead. First, lightning injures more people than it kills. In fact, approximately 90
percent of those lightning hits survive, but often with long-lasting neurological damage,
says Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, a leading expert on lightning injuries.

Is it safe to use WiFi during a thunderstorm?

Generally No. Using a hand held device is harmless during a Thunderstorm. There is
always a "However". If you are in your Bedroom say and the Modem supplying
your WiFi is in your room with you and Lightning strikes your Power line then you could
absolutely be injured

Where is the safest place to be during a lightning storm?

Stay Inside
The safest and most obvious place to be in a thunderstorm is indoors.
If lightning strikes a house or a building directly, it will tend to follow the available paths
to ground, including the electrical wiring, plumbing, cable or telephone lines, antennas
and/or steel framework.

Is it OK to shower during lightning?

The National Weather Service urges the public to avoid hopping in the shower
during a lightning storm in the event that a bolt strikes one of your home's water pipes
and electrifies your bathroom. ... Just as the National Weather Service warns, it's safe
to shower only once thunderstorms have passed you by

What attracts lightning to a house?

Most houses are filled with many potential routes for lightning to follow in its journey.
This can include gas and water pipes, electric lines, phone lines, cable TV/internet lines,
gutters, downspouts, metal window frames - anything conductive in a house is 'fair
game' for the lightning to follow

Has anyone died from showering during thunderstorm?

But the claim that taking a shower during a lightning storm can electrocute you is no
old wives' tale, experts say.

Are you safe from lightning in a house?

Lightning is a very dangerous force that, yes, can even reach you indoors if you're in
contact with the telephone or plumbing. Lightning has the ability to strike a house or
near a house and impart an electrical charge to the metal pipes used for plumbing.

What is lightning attracted to?

Lightning can travel long distances in wires or other metal surfaces. Metal does
not attract lightning, but it provides a path for the lightning to follow. Most
indoor lightning casualties and some outdoor casualties are due to conduction.

Is it safe to sit on porch during thunderstorm?

However, it IS safe to use cordless or cell phones as long as they are not being
charged. Stay away from windows and doors: Sitting on an open porch to watch
a thunderstorm is also dangerous. It is best to be in an interior
room during a thunderstorm.

Can it thunder without lightning?

No, it is not possible to have thunder without lightning. Thunder is a direct result
of lightning. However, it IS possible that you might see lightning and not hear
the thunder because it was too far away. Sometimes this is called “heat lightning”
because it occurs most often in the summer.
How dangerous is a lightning storm?
 The odds of being struck in your lifetime is 1 in 3,000. Lightning can kill people (3,696
deaths were recorded in the U.S. between 1959 and 2003) or cause cardiac arrest.
Injuries range from severe burns and permanent brain damage to memory loss and
personality change

How can you protect yourself from lightning outside?

Lightning Safety Outdoors
1. Find indoor shelter. Get inside the nearest available hard-topped vehicle or building,
keeping all windows shut, and stay there for at least 30 minutes after the storm passes
before returning outside. ...
2. Get to low ground. Avoid hilltops and open areas. ...
3. Distance yourself from tall objects
Can you cook during a thunderstorm?

Do NOT bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a
thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building's plumbing. Do NOT use
your computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, stoves, or anything
connected to an electrical outlet.

Can lightning kill you indoors?

Just because you're indoors doesn't mean you're safe. Most people know
that lightning can strike you when you're outside. But did you know that lightning
can injure and even kill you while you're indoors? Today is the fourth day
of Lightning Safety Awareness Week and the theme is lightning safety indoors.

Can lightning strike through glass?

Lightning can travel through pipes so avoid all plumbing during a thunderstorm. That
means no washing your hands, showering or washing dishes. 7) Stay away from any
windows. Lightning has been known to strike through glass.

Can I use an umbrella in a thunderstorm?

Using an umbrella in a thunderstorm slightly increases your odds of being struck. If

your hair stands on end during a storm, that's a bad sign.

What is the most famous thunderstorm?

The supercell is the strongest of the thunderstorms, most commonly associated with
large hail, high winds, and tornado formation.

Should you turn off TV during thunderstorm?

Do not use the telephone. Take off head sets. Turn off, unplug, and stay away from
appliances, computers, power tools, & TV sets. Lightning may strike exterior electric
and phone lines, inducing shocks to inside equipment.
Thunderstorms & Lightning

Lightning is a leading cause of injury and death from weather-related hazards. Although
most lightning victims survive, people struck by lightning often report a variety of long-
term, debilitating symptoms. Thunderstorms are dangerous storms that include lightning
and can:

 Include powerful winds over 50 MPH;

 Create hail; and
 Cause flash flooding and tornadoes.

IF YOU ARE UNDER A THUNDERSTORM WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT

AWAY

 When thunder roars, go indoors!

 Move from outdoors into a building or car.
 Pay attention to alerts and warnings.
 Unplug appliances.
 Do not use landline phones.

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A THUNDERSTORM THREATENS

Prepare NOW

 Know your area’s risk for thunderstorms. In most places, they can occur year-
round and at any hour.
 Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System
(EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather
Radio also provide emergency alerts.
 Identify nearby, sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study, and play.
 Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.
 Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system
to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.

Survive DURING

 When thunder roars, go indoors. A sturdy building is the safest place to be during
a thunderstorm.
 Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of thunderstorms. Be ready to
change plans, if necessary, to be near shelter.
 When you receive a thunderstorm warning or hear thunder, go inside
immediately.
 If indoors, avoid running water or using landline phones. Electricity can travel
through plumbing and phone lines.
  Protect your property. Unplug appliances and other electric devices. Secure
outside furniture.
 If boating or swimming, get to land and find a sturdy, grounded shelter or vehicle
immediately.
 If necessary, take shelter in a car with a metal top and sides. Do not touch
anything metal.
 Avoid flooded roadways. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! Just six inches of fast-
moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep
your vehicle away.

Be Safe AFTER

 Listen to authorities and weather forecasts for information on whether it is safe to

go outside and instructions regarding potential flash flooding.
 Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.

How much electricity is in a lightning strike?

An average bolt of lightning, striking from cloud to ground, contains roughly one
billion (1,000,000,000) joules of energy. This is no small amount, enough to power a 60-
watt lightbulb for six months plus a forgotten open door refrigerator for a day.

An average bolt of negative lightning carries an electric current of 30,000 amperes (30
kA), and transfers 15 coulombs of electric charge and 1 gigajoule of energy.

Is a lightning bolt positive or negative?

Just like on any battery that has a + (positive) or – (negative) sign. The sign represents
the type of charge that comes from that end. With lightning this means there is a
transfer of a negative charge from the cloud to the ground in negative
lightning strikes. 90-95% of all lightning is negatively charged.Jun 10, 2014

How much voltage is in a lightning strike?

Cloud-to-ground lightning bolts are a common phenomenon—about 100 strike Earth's
surface every single second—yet their power is extraordinary. Each bolt can contain up
to one billion volts of electricity.
How powerful is a lightning strike?
Peak current intensity is of the order 10 to 100 million volts of electricity; the average
about 30,000 amps. Energy goes into light and heat with temperatures about 54,000
degrees Farenheit, six times hotter than the sun.
Can lightning charge a battery?
Charge that with the lightning bolt, and then use the energy to charge your battery. ...
Technically lightning is flow of charge from high potential to low potential
you can store charge using a capacitor .Oct 8, 2017
What is a positive lightning bolt?
The Positive and Negative Side of Lightning. Positive lightning strike, copyright by
Radek Dolecki - Electric Skies. The previous section describes what is called
"negative lightning", because there is the transfer of negative charge from the cloud to
the ground. ... Positive lightning makes up less than 5% of all strikes.
What color Lightning is the strongest?
The color of the bolt depends on how hot it is; the hotter the lightning, the closer the color will be to the end of the spectrum.
The color spectrum in this case start with infared which is red and the coolest up to ultraviolet which appears violet and is the hottest.Feb 19,
2010
What color Lightning is the most dangerous?
White – this is by far one of the most dangerous color of lightning due to the fact that this type of lightning is the hottest. This color can
indicate a low concentration of moisture in the air as well as a high concentration of dust in the air. Green – discussed in-depth in the
Green Lightning article.Jan 28, 2019
What causes a red lightning bolt?
Red, orange, or yellow terrestrial lightning is caused by the presence of fine dust or smoke particles suspended in the atmosphere between
the bolt and the observer. It can also occur during dusty volcanic lightning. All low-altitude lightning discharges are inherently brilliant blue-
white in color.
What's the difference between a positive lightning strike and a negative lightning strike?
A significant percentage of forest fires are started by positive lightning strikes. Positive lightning is usually composed of one stroke,
while negative lightning often has two or more strokes. Winter storms produce a higher percentage of positive lightning strikes,
compared with summer storms.Apr 26, 2018
Can lightning kill you in a car?
While a car provides some protection from lightning, as the metal frame directs lightning currents to the ground, vehicles can still be
damaged by a strike. Lightning damage to a vehicle includes pitting, arcing and burning along with electrical system issues, the institute
said.Jun 24, 2014
How loud is lightning up close?
A clap of thunder typically registers at about 120 dB in close proximity to the ground stroke. This is 10 times louder than a garbage truck or
pneumatic jackhammer drill. By comparison, sitting in front of speakers at a rock concert can expose you to a continuous 120+ dB level.
What is lightning attracted to?
Lightning can travel long distances in wires or other metal surfaces. Metal does not attract lightning, but it provides a path for
the lightning to follow. Most indoor lightning casualties and some outdoor casualties are due to conduction.
Is lightning hotter than the sun?
Air is a very poor conductor of electricity and gets extremely hot when lightning passes through it. In fact, lightning can heat the air it
passes through to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit (5 times hotter than the surface of the sun).
Can you feel heat from lightning?
Most lightning occurs within the clouds. ... Lightning is extremely hot—a flash can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter
than the sun's surface. This heat causes surrounding air to rapidly expand and vibrate, which creates the pealing thunder we hear a short
time after seeing a lightning flash.Sep 19, 2019
From articles in Windpower Engineering & Development, we learn that lightning bolts carry from 5 kA to 200 kA and voltages vary from 40 kV
to 120 kV. So if we take some averages, say, 100 kA and 100 kV, this bolt would carry this much power, P:
 How is lightning made? People used to make up stories to answer that question. Today, science tells us how.
Credit:
NASA
You have heard of Ben Franklin. Did you know he flew a kite during a thunderstorm? He wanted to prove that lightning is a form of electricity. We know now that flying a kite in a
storm is not safe. But, Ben was right. Lightning is a form of electricity. How does this "electricity" form?

What do You Need to Make Lightning?

You need cold air and warm air. When they meet, the warm air goes up. It makes thunderstorm clouds! The
cold air has ice crystals. The warm air has water droplets. During the storm, the droplets and crystals bump
together and move apart in the air. This rubbing makes static electrical charges in the clouds.

Just like a battery, these clouds have a "plus" end and a "minus" end. The plus, or positive, charges in the
cloud are at the top. The minus, or negative, charges are at the bottom. When the charge at the bottom gets
strong enough, the cloud lets out energy.

The energy goes through the air. It goes to a place that has the opposite charge. This
lightning bolt of energy that is let out is called a leader stroke. It can go from the cloud
to the ground. Or, a leader stroke can go from the cloud to another cloud. No one is
sure why lightning bolts follow a zigzag path as they move. The main bolt or stroke will
go back up to the cloud. It will make a flash of lightning. It will also heat the air. The air
will spread quickly. It will make the sound we hear as thunder.

Be Safe in a Storm

Lightning is dangerous. Here are some safety rules.

Image above: Look at

a battery and find the
plus end and the

minus end. Credit: Stay away from open spaces. But, do not stand under a tree. The best place is inside a building.
NASA
 If you are swimming, get out of the water. Get out as soon as you see a storm coming. The storm
may seem far away, but lightning can travel over 20 miles! Image above: Ice crystals and water droplets bump together and move apart to cause
 During a thunderstorm, shut off or unplug all electrical items. Do not use the phone. electricity. Credit: NASA

 Never walk in a thunderstorm carrying a metal pole. Don't even carry an umbrella!

 How will you know if a lightning strike is near you? You will feel the hair on your head or body start to stand up. If this happens, go to a safe place. Go quickly! If there
is no safe place near, get as close to the ground as you can.

Scientists have learned some facts about lightning from pictures. Some lightning flashes are made up of as
many as 25 or more lightning bolts (strokes). They move so fast that your eyes only see one flash!
Image above: Do not stand outside
Lightning is fun to watch. But, make sure you do so safely. during a storm. Credit: NASA

Image above: A special camera can show

that one lightning flash is made of many
bolts of lightning. Credit: NASA