Helpful tips for staying safe during lightning storms
During the summer, itβs fun to enjoy the great outdoors. But during monsoon season, its best to keep an eye out for flooding, and also lightningΒ .
There have been 14 lighting deaths since 2008 in Arizona and kills an average of 47 people each year in the United States, according to the National Weather Service.
Knowing what to do if you're caught in a thunderstorm can be the difference between life and death. Here are some tips from the National Weather Service to help keep you safe this monsoon season.Β
By Ahmaad Lomax/Special to the Arizona Daily StarΒ
When Outdoors...
UpdatedWhen there's lightning, it's best to stay indoors. But if you're caught in a storm while you're outside, here's what you can do to stay safe:Β
If you hear a roar, go indoors
Updated
Kelly Presnell / La Estrella de TucsΓ³n
Los rayos golpean al suroeste del centro de la ciudad en una tormenta el 12 de julio pasado.
If you are able to hear thunder then lighting is close enough to strike you so move inside a building or hard top vehicle as soon as possible after you hear thunder.Β
Get down!
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Lightning bolts from a monsoon slam into the Galiuro Mountains, northeast of Tucson.
Immediately leave elevated spacesΒ βΒ avoid mountains, hills, telephone polesΒ as these are the most likely places to be struck by lightning.
Find shelter
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Avoid bleachers, large trees, convertible cars, small sheds and open areas.
Once youβve found safety, listen for thunder and remain put for at least 30 minutes after the last crackle of thunder.
Stay away from water and metal objects
Updated
Donβt despair. The seasonal wind shift will announce itself with darkening skies and natural pyrotechnics.
Neither water or metal draw lightning strikes, but they do conduct electricity. So, itβs safer to avoid both if a strike happens to occur
When Indoors...
UpdatedIf you find yourself indoors enjoying the rain (and thunder), here's how you can stay safe...
Stay away from anything that conducts electricity
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Lightning touches down with a rain cell northwest of Tucson on July 31.
Avoid anything connected to an electrical outlet, corded phones and desktop computers as you want to limit your contact with electricity during a storm.
Avoid plumbing
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A man traverses through the rain in his poncho along South Osborne Avenue near 22nd Street following a monsoon storm that dumped rain on Tucson's downtown and south side on Aug. 3, 2017, in Tucson, Ariz.
Avoid washing your hands, as well as showering or taking a bath as a lightning strike can travel throughout a building through the plumbing.
Find a safe spot away from walls, windows and doors
Updated
A multi-forked bolt slams to the ground just west of the downtown skyline, part of a monsoon storm that rolled over the area, Wednesday, July 12, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
Electricity from a lightning strike can travel through metal bars and wires found in concrete walls or flooring.
Lightning has also been noted on rare occasions to come through cracks in windows and doors.
