Lightning Safety
By: Ginger | March 27, 2009 | Category: Health
When my youngest sister, Dana, was 4 she was in her bedroom listening to a record on her kiddy record player. The record player’s electrical plug was not pushed in all of the way and my sister got the idea to place a hanger on the metal prongs of the plug. I was in the living room watching cartoons, but I heard a very loud crack and the hallway lit up with a bright flash. Surprisingly, my sister was not hurt at all, but the hanger was burnt through and the plug and outlet were scorched black. The irony of the story is that my father was a master electrician who worked around very high voltage equipment for a living. Needless to say he didn’t allow my sister to again use anything involving plugs, outlets, or hangers until she turned 33!
I was again reminded of the power of electricity, this time in the form of lightning. Last week, while I was on vacation a man was struck by lightning and died near the condo my family rented. While I did not witness the event, I decided to research and pass along information about the dangers of lightning and lightning safety.
According to FEMA, 300 people are injured and 80 people are killed each year by lightning in the United States. Most lightning victims survive, but people struck by lightning are often plagued by a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms. Your chances of being struck by lightning are estimated to be 1 in 600,000. You can reduce these odds by following safety precautions. As we approach the season where more people are outside and exposed to the possibilities of thunderstorms and lightning, it is important to educate yourself about lightning safety. Here are some links to help you do that:
- USA.gov Lightning Safety
- Online Tornado FAQ
- What Happens When people and Lightning Converge
- Survivor Stories
- Lightning, What you Need to Know Now
- FEMA - Thunderstorms and Lightning
Kids often spend a lot of time outdoors, so it is important to educate your children on what to do should they get caught outside during a thunderstorm. Here are some helpful links:
- Mr. Plug Fun Book
- FEMA Kids’ Page
- National Weather Service Kids’ Page
- JetStream Online School for Weather
- Types of Lightning
I am always interested in the science behind things and events. If you are interested in meteorology and the scientific aspects of lightning, check out these resources:
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The Ging Rox!
As an electrician i get lots of questions from people and dispell a lot of false assumptions people have about electricity. Of course, we electricians hardly ever get around to fixing our own houses after working with the stuff all day at work, i completely sympathize with your dad.
a lot of shock hazards can be mitigated with Ground Fault Circuit Interupters (GFCIs) which are required by code in most areas where there is a liklihood that your electrical connections could also contact water, bathroom, kitchen, outside, unfinished spaces, etc. I also like toput them in kids' bedrooms. GFCI shut off the power to their given circuit when the electical current becomes unbalanced, indicating someone is getting shocked. You might still feel it mildly and briefly, but it is much less likely to cause an injury or death.
Electricity flows through ALL AVAILABLE PATHS not just the path of least resistance. It does flow inversely proportionally to resistance, so if you can't make the path through you unavailable, make it as resitant as possible.
All objects have a level of conduictivity (conductance) which is the opposite of resistance. Trees are resistant to the flow of electrcity, but given suficient voltage (lightening strike or power line contact) enough current (amperage) can flow through them to cause significant harm and fire. Avoid contact with conductive objects as much as possible during a lightning storm. Cars can be used as a shelter of last resort if necessary.
thanks again, Ginger, it's always a pleasure to read you column.
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This proves that even if you think the storm is over, it might not be. And never talk on a land line phone when it is storming. But the funny thing is, after that strike, I have been involved in 4 more strikes in four different homes in four different towns.
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I have to ask, were you injured in any of these strikes? I wonder if it is possible that some people are more prone to attracting electricity? Should ever we chance to meet, remind me to not stand so close to you!
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yeah, Electricians are often called Sparky, because when things go worn, we throw sparks. A carpenter was on my case one day and i showed him a couple tricks.. he left me alone after that, hehehe.
Anyway, as for Uknown's problem, a good pair of rubber boots should break his ground contact because electricity has to have a an in and out to pass. A good way to have some fun with newbies in the trade to tell them you have to work standing on 1 foot with one hand behind your back so you don't complete the circuit.
there are household grade surge protectors and lightning arrestors to help protect you in case of a storm, but you should never talk on a corded phone during a storm. Use a cordless or cell phone if it can't wait. Try electrical supply houses and Amateur Radio supplies. Those guys get some wild stuff with their towers and antennae going.
be safe!
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Water conducts electricity, so does metallic plumbing pipe.
lightning isn't just a single flash, it is usually several hundred bouncing back and forth. So yes, it is a good idea to avoid takeing a bath or shower during an electrical storm, but the danger is minimal as the plumbing is usually well grounded and the inside of your home should also be well insulated (electrically speaking) making it difficult for the lightning to pass.
So, my advice is don't shower if you can wait until it passes, the risk is minute, but to me, it's not worth it.
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