How to Protect Yourself From Indoor Lightning Strikes

Although it is always the best practice to head inside when you hear the rumble of thunder, lightning can also still harm you while inside. Here is what you need to know about staying safe during a thunderstorm, even if you are able to get inside.

Understanding the Danger of Lightning

Lightning is one of the most powerful forces of nature. A bolt of lightning is capable of producing heat as sizzling as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit as it shoots to the ground. This is hotter than the heat put out by the sun.

A joint effort between the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has successfully trained people to "go indoors when thunder roars." This campaign encourages people to head inside at the first clap of thunder, signaling that lightning is also nearby. Once you hear the sound of thunder, it means that potentially dangerous lightning is also close enough to cause harm.

According to data from NOAA, about 300 people are struck by lightning each year in the U.S. While this is a small percentage of the approximately 25 million flashes of lightning each year, it is enough to make this a deadly event.

It is important to keep in mind that lightning can hit as far as 10 miles from the epicenter of a storm. Men are also four times more likely to become the victim of a lightning strike when compared to women. This is largely because men are more likely to be participating in water sports or sports activities that put them at risk of being outside during a storm.

How to Protect Yourself Indoors from Lightning Strikes

What may be surprising to most people is that about one-third of all lighting injuries happen when people are indoors. This figure has been determined using data gathered annually from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Lightning can sneak inside in various ways. In addition to a direct strike on the home or structure, lightning can also enter through wires or plumbing. Alternatively, lighting can come up through the ground.

You can lower your risk of being hit by lightning while inside by avoiding touching corded electronics during times of severe weather. This includes television cords and computers. Wireless electronics are safe to handle. In that same vein, do not use a corded phone during stormy conditions. Cordless phones and smartphones are perfectly safe to use.

You should also postpone taking showers, washing dishes, or doing anything with water while storms are outside. Because lightning can travel through concrete, it is good practice to avoid leaning against concrete walls or lying on concrete floors when lightning is in the vicinity.

Lastly, it is recommended to stay away from exterior doors and windows during storm events. This is particularly important if these openings contain metal components that could facilitate the transfer of electricity from the outdoors into the home.

Remember that standing on a balcony or under a covered pavilion is still being outside. These coverings will not keep you safe during times of lightning. A better option would be to seek shelter in a vehicle if you cannot get to a safer structure.

Pets should be brought indoors during severe weather. Animals are also at risk of being struck by lightning.

Although you can never guard against lightning strikes completely, following these general guidelines will go a long way in keeping you safe.

Did you find this content useful? Feel free to bookmark or to post to your timeline for reference later.