Severe Weather Week 2016

Environmental Health and Safety • 2408 Wanda Daley Drive • Ames, Iowa 50011-3602 • (515) 294-5359 •

Lightning Safety

Lightning Awareness Week June 20-24, 2016

Lightning is fascinating to watch but is also extremely dangerous.

In the U.S., there are about 25 million lightning flashes every year. Each of those 25 million flashes is a potential

killer. While lightning fatalities have decreased over the past 30 years, lightning continues to be one of the top

weather killers in the U.S. In addition, lightning injures many more people than it kills and leaves some victims

with life-long health problems.

Though lightning strikes peak in summer, people are struck year round. In the U.S., an average of 49 people are

killed each year by lightning.

Lightning: What You Need to Know

• NO PLACE

outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!!

• When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter: a substantial building or an enclosed, metal-

topped vehicle with windows up.

• Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last sound of thunder.

Indoor Lightning Safety

• Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.

• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets.

• Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches.

• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.

Last Resort Outdoor Risk Reduction Tips

If you are caught outside with no safe shelter anywhere nearby the following actions may reduce your risk:

• Immediately get off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges or peaks.

• Never lie flat on the ground.

• Never shelter under an isolated tree.

• Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes and other bodies of water.

• Stay away from objects that conduct electricity (barbed wire fences, power lines, windmills, etc.)

In 2015, about 10% of lightning deaths in the U.S. occured in Iowa.

Avoid getting caught in a dangerous situation!

If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning

For more information and safety tips, visit our

page.