Safety Tips

Each flash of lightning is equal to about 1 billion volts of electricity. That is enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for three months!! That is a lot of energy, and you do not want to get struck during a thunderstorm and have all that go through your body. To help prevent anything like this from happening, here are some safety tips to help prepare you when there is a thunderstorm.
Things to avoid include:

1. Water - This means NO showers when there is a thunderstorm; water can carry electricity.
2. High ground
3. Open spaces
4. Metal objects - This includes everything like electrical wires, fences, machinery, power tools, or motors.
5. Telephones - Do not use the phone unless it is absolutely an emergency and do not use head sets or ear phones.
6. Appliances - Unplug and stay away from things like refrigerators, computers, and televisions.
** Wait 30 minutes after the last lightning stroke before partaking in any of the above activities or going to these areas.

What to do if you are outside:

1. Seek shelter in a truck, car, or van. If this is not an option, crouch down with your feet together and cover your ears to protect them from the thunder.
2. Stay 15 feet away from other people to avoid transfer of shock.
3. Stay away from trees, picnic shelters or rain shelters, and canopies.
4. Hide in ditches or places of lower levels, but try to avoid water.

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Thunder
When Does Lightning Occur and Why?
Where Does Lightning Strike?
The Cloud to Ground Striking Process

Links

CS255 Computers in El Ed Home Page

Link to Northern Michigan University

Amber Wozniak: awozniak@nmu.edu