{"id":8191,"date":"2016-05-02T12:03:56","date_gmt":"2016-05-02T17:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theinsuranceshop1.com\/?p=8191"},"modified":"2016-01-05T14:05:53","modified_gmt":"2016-01-05T19:05:53","slug":"lightning-safety-myths-vs-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theinsuranceshop1.com\/?p=8191","title":{"rendered":"Lightning Safety: Myths vs. Facts"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"lightning\"<\/p>\n

With 1,800 thunderstorms in progress at any given time on Earth, it\u2019s important to be able to sort out the myths from the facts when it comes to lightning safety. And keep in mind that the best lightning safety plan of all is to take shelter in a house or other structure, or a hard-topped fully enclosed vehicle during a storm: \u201cWhen thunder roars, go indoors!\u201d<\/div>\n
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MYTH 1 \u2013 LIGHTNING <\/strong>NEVER STRIKES THE SAME PLACE TWICE <\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it\u2019s a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building was once used as a lightning laboratory, because it\u2019s hit nearly 25 times per year, and has been known to have been hit up to a dozen times during a single storm.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 2 \u2013 LIGHTNING ONLY STRIKES THE TALLEST OBJECTS <\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> Lightning is indiscriminate and it can find you anywhere. Lightning hits the ground instead of trees, cars instead of nearby telephone poles, and parking lots instead of buildings.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 3 <\/strong>\u2013 IN A THUNDERSTORM, IT\u2019S OK TO GO UNDER A TREE TO STAY DRY<\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> Sheltering under a tree is just about the worst thing you can do. If lightning does hit the tree, there\u2019s the chance that a \u201cground charge\u201d will spread out from the tree in all directions. Being underneath a tree is the second leading cause of lightning casualties.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 4 <\/strong>\u2013 IF YOU DON\u2019T SEE CLOUDS OR RAIN, YOU’RE SAFE <\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> Lightning can often strike more than three miles from the thunderstorm, far outside the rain or even the thunderstorm cloud. \u201cBolts from the Blue,\u201d though infrequent, can strike 10?15 miles from the thunderstorm. Anvil lightning can strike the ground over 50 miles from the thunderstorm, under extreme conditions.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 5 <\/strong>\u2013 A CAR WITH RUBBER TIRES WILL PROTECT YOU FROM LIGHTNING <\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> Most vehicles are safe because the metal roof and sides divert lightning around you. The rubber tires have little to do with protecting you. Keep in mind that convertibles, motorcycles, bikes, open shelled outdoor recreation vehicles, and cars with plastic or fiberglass shells offer no lightning protection at all.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 6 <\/strong>\u2013 IF YOU\u2019RE OUTSIDE IN A STORM, LIE FLAT ON THE GROUND<\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact: <\/strong>Lying flat on the ground makes you more vulnerable to electrocution, not less. Lightning generates potentially deadly electrical currents along the ground in all directions, which are more likely to reach you if you\u2019re lying down.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 7 <\/strong>\u2013 IF YOU TOUCH A LIGHTNING VICTIM, YOU\u2019LL BE ELECTROCUTED<\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> The human body doesn\u2019t store electricity. It is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 8 <\/strong>\u2013 WEARING METAL ON YOUR BODY ATTRACTS LIGHTNING<\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> The presence of metal makes virtually no difference in determining where lightning will strike; height, pointy shape and isolation are the dominant factors. However, touching or being near long metal objects, such as a fence, can be unsafe when thunderstorms are nearby\u2014if lightning does happen to hit one area of the fence, for example, the metal can conduct the electricity and electrocute you, even at a fairly long distance<\/div>\n
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MYTH 9 \u2013 A HOUSE WILL ALWAYS KEEP YOU SAFE FROM LIGHTNING<\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> While a house is the safest place you can be during a storm, just going inside isn\u2019t enough. You must avoid any conducting path leading outside, such as corded telephones, electrical appliances, wires, TV cables, plumbing, metal doors or window frames, etc. Don\u2019t stand near a window to watch the lightning. An inside room is generally safe, but a home equipped with a professionally installed lightning protection system is the safest shelter available.<\/div>\n
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MYTH 10 \u2013 SURGE SUPPRESSORS CAN PROTECT A HOME AGAINST LIGHTNING <\/strong><\/div>\n
Fact:<\/strong> Surge arresters and suppressors are important components of a complete lightning protection system, but can do nothing to protect a structure against a direct lightning strike. These items must be installed in conjunction with a lightning protection system to provide whole house protection.<\/div>\n
Source<\/strong>: Insurance Information Institute\u00a0http:\/\/www.iii.org\/<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With 1,800 thunderstorms in progress at any given time on Earth, it\u2019s important to be able to sort out the myths from the facts when it comes to lightning safety. And keep in mind that the best lightning safety plan of all is to take shelter in a house or other structure, or a hard-topped … <\/p>\n

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