Find Out More
Parents & Educators
This month Elmer talks about Lightning Safety
Up to a million times more powerful than household current, lightning bolts can be deadly. A lightning bolt can cause cardiac arrest when the current enters the body. It can also lead to organ damage and burns, sometimes with long-term effects such as memory loss, dizziness and other life-altering ailments. It is important to note that victims will not carry an electric charge and can be safely handled. Call 911. If breathing has stopped, administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
Lightning claims about six to twelve lives in Canada each year, and seriously injures another 60 to 70 people. Lightning can strike up to 16 kilometres from its source, so early precautions are crucial. If thunderstorms are in the forecast, re-assess your plans for outdoor activities.
If You Are Caught Outdoors:
- Seek shelter in a vehicle (except convertibles). Park off the road away from trees and power lines.
- Keep a safe distance from tall objects, such as trees, hilltops, and telephone poles.
- Stay away from water. Don't go boating or swimming if a storm is near. Lightning can strike the water and travel some distance from its point of contact.
- Don't stand in puddles even if you are wearing rubber boots.
- Stay away from open fields. Seek shelter in low-lying areas such as valleys, ditches and depressions but be aware of flooding.
- Maintain minimum contact with the ground. Crouch down low, but don' t lie down and put your hands over your ears to protect your hearing.
- Stay away from objects that conduct electricity, such as tractors, golf carts, golf clubs, metal fences, motorcycles, lawnmowers and bicycles.
- Remove metal objects off or away from your body including: electronic devices (cell phones and iPods), metal jewelry, shoes with metal cleats, umbrellas, fishing rods, mobile phones, laptops, etc.
- If you are in a group in the open, spread out, keeping people several yards apart.
- If you do get caught in the woods, stay away from isolated trees and the edge of the forest. Find the lowest growth of small trees or bushes to crouch down in and wait out the storm.
If You Are Indoors:
- Keep away from doors, windows, fireplaces, and anything that will conduct electricity, such as radiators, stoves, sinks, and metal pipes.
- Keep as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
- Don' t take a shower or a bath.
- Before the storm hits, disconnect electrical appliances including radios and television sets. Do not touch them during the storm.
- Don't go outside unless absolutely necessary.
- Don't handle electrical equipment or telephones.Use battery operated appliances only.
