Jun
10
2010
Hello my friends, and welcome to the Summer of 2010. I usually write about nutrition and fitness, but this year I am going to stray a bit and write about a serious killer: lightning. According to the National Weather Service (noaa.gov), summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena— lightning. Lightning Safety Awareness Week (citizencorps.gov), is held the last full week of June each year. Each year in the U.S., there are about 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes- each one of these a potential killer. During the last 30 years, lightning has killed an average of 73 people per year in the U.S. This is more than the 68 that are killed by tornadoes or the average of 16 killed by hurricanes. Because lightning only claims one or two victims at a time, and because it does not cause the mass destruction left in the wake of hurricanes or tornadoes, lightning generally receives much less attention than the more destructive storm-related killers. Lightning also injures 300 people a year; however, undocumented injuries caused by lightning are likely much higher. While many people think they are aware of the dangers of lightning, the vast majority are not. Lack of understanding with regard to the dangers of lightning continues to be a significant problem in the U.S. Many ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Sep
03
2009
Here are some alarming statistics about those people that were killed by lightning:
98% were outside
89% were male
30% were males between the ages of 20-25
25% were standing under a tree
25% occurred on or near water
Here are your NOAA Lightning Safety Tips:
The only way to be safe during a lightning strike is to be inside a substantial building or car. A building is safe if it is fully enclosed with a roof, walls and floor and contains wiring and plumbing throughout. Picnic shelters, dugouts, sheds, and other partially open or small structures are not safe. Substantial buildings are safe because electrical current from the lightning strike will typically travel through the wiring and or plumbing into the ground.
Watch for developing thunderstorms.
With an approaching thunderstorm, seek safe shelter.
Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from the area where it is raining.
If you can hear thunder, you are in striking distance of lightning.
Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry. Stay away from all pools, indoor and outdoor, tubs and showers.
With an approaching thunderstorm, avoid contact with corded phones, computers, and all other electrical equipment. Buy surge protectors for all electrical equipment.
Stay away from windows and doors, ...
Posted in: Home
