Lightning Storms In my opinion, there is nothing more perfect than ending a hot summer’s day with a lightning storm. I especially love when they strike during the night – lighting up my bedroom to display all the shadows looming. Every so often, my daughter will crawl under the covers with us, needing reassurance that the lightning storm is not going to hurt her. Storms can be amazing to watch. They can come out of nowhere with barely any warning and sometimes you can watch them approaching from miles away. Of course, it is much nicer to know that they are approaching so that you can take the proper precautions rather than just attack without a moment of warning. As intriguing as lightning storms are, they can be dangerous and sometimes even deadly. Lives have been lost because of careless decisions made during a storm. Lives have also been taken even when precautions have been put into effect. Whether you get caught outside when a storm hits or you’re watching from inside the comfort of your own home, you should know the safety precautions surrounding lightning storms. You can find all kinds of facts and tips on www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov. It is always a good idea to be familiar with these tips and share them with your children and family as well. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Most people assume that if they are inside the security of their own home, they are perfectly safe from a lightning storm. While that is true, for the most part, there are activities that you should avoid when inside your home and a storm is raging outside. Lightning can strike find a way to enter your house and cause some serious damage and injuries. It can sneak into your house through electrical wires or piping. Avoiding taking a shower or a bath during a storm can be avoiding injuries. You should also avoid running water for washing dishes or doing laundry. Be patient and wait until the storm is over. Avoid windows and doorways, as well as porches. It may be very tempting to sit in your living room against the window to watch the storm carry on but you might look pretty tempting to some stray bolts during a lightning storm. Surprisingly, the use of a phone during a lightning storm is the number one indoor lightning storm injury in the United States. Avoid talking on your phone, especially if it has a cord Take some time to visit the mentioned website and read over the facts surrounding lightning storm safety. Learn how to stay safe both indoors and outdoors. Share the information with others and perhaps even develop an emergency plan for your family. You just never know when your newfound knowledge may come in handy. Summary Related Articles Related Sites