How To Avoid Lightning Strikes
Avoiding lightning strikes is all about understanding the risks and taking proper safety measures during thunderstorms. Here’s how to stay safe and minimize your chances of being struck:
✅ How to Avoid Lightning Strikes
1. Stay Indoors During Storms
- The safest place during lightning is inside a fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing.
- Avoid open shelters, tents, or isolated structures.
2. Avoid Open Spaces and Tall Objects
- Stay away from:
- Open fields or hilltops
- Isolated trees, poles, or towers
- Lightning tends to strike the tallest object nearby.
3. Avoid Water and Wet Areas
- Don’t swim, bathe, or stay near bodies of water during a thunderstorm.
- Water conducts electricity and increases risk.
4. Stay Away from Metal Objects
- Avoid fences, railings, bicycles, golf clubs, and tools that conduct electricity.
5. Follow the “30-30 Rule”
- If you see lightning, start counting seconds until you hear thunder.
- If the time is 30 seconds or less, the storm is close enough to be dangerous—seek shelter immediately.
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before leaving shelter.
6. If Caught Outside With No Shelter
- Avoid lying flat on the ground (increases surface area for electricity).
- Instead, crouch down with feet together, head tucked, and hands covering ears (lightning crouch).
- Stay away from water, tall objects, and metal.
7. Avoid Using Electrical Appliances or Plumbing During Storms Indoors
- Lightning can travel through electrical wiring and plumbing.
- Avoid using phones with cords, computers, or showers/baths during lightning.
Summary Table
| Action | Why |
|---|---|
| Stay indoors | Buildings provide the safest shelter |
| Avoid open/tall objects | Lightning targets tallest points |
| Stay away from water | Water conducts electricity |
| Avoid metal | Metal is a good conductor |
| Follow 30-30 rule | Helps gauge when storm is dangerous |
| Use lightning crouch outside | Minimizes contact with ground |
| Avoid electrical appliances/plumbing | Prevents indoor lightning injuries |