This article could save your life. Share with family, friends and your kids to ensure everyone knows how to stay safe during a lightning storm.
In the light of recent incidents in which adults and school kids have been struck by lightning, here’s what to do and what not to do when lightning strikes.
Keep an eye on the weather
Outdoors is the most dangerous place to be during a thunderstorm. Therefore always keep an eye on the weather: Look for cumulus clouds with a typical “cauliflower“ or “candyfloss” shape that may form towering clouds. Muggy weather with increasing wind, rolls of thunder, sheet lightning and falling air pressure are all signs that a thunderstorm is approaching.
Estimate your distance from a thunderstorm
To roughly estimate your distance from a thunderstorm, count the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the next clap of thunder. Divide this number by 3 to get the number of kilometers.
If you do not hear thunder 30 seconds after you saw a lightning flash you are on the safe side as the thunderstorm is far enough away. If you hear thunder 15 seconds after a lightning flash, it is only about 5km away. You are at high risk if you hear thunder less than 5 seconds after a lightning flash.
Seek shelter as soon as possible
The biggest mistake people make is waiting too long to seek shelter when a storm hits. The most important thing to do when thunder roars is to go take cover inside a building. A pavilion, carport or similar structure does not provide sufficient protection so ideally try to get indoors.
What to do if you are in open terrain
If caught outdoors, there are two main dangers:
First and foremost, being when you are the highest point around and secondly, when lightning strikes near you. In this case, the current is conducted to the ground and quickly spreads out in all directions, forming a dangerous potential gradient. For this reason, never lie flat on the ground if you are caught in the open during a thunderstorm. Crouch down immediately, put your feet as close together as possible and wrap your arms around your legs.
Put down bicycles, golf bags or golf clubs and keep a distance of at least 1 m, or even better 3 m, from these objects. Hollows, stone beds or protruding rocks may provide shelter. If you are in a group of people, spread out. It is vital to keep a distance of at least 1 m, or even better 3 m, from walls, metal fences, etc.
Avoid trees, groves, edges of forests and the wood poles of overhead lines since these are particularly vulnerable to lightning. The risk of being hit by a lightning strike inside a forest with trees of uniform height is considerably lower, however, keep a 10m distance from all trees.
What to do if you are on a playing field
Sportsmen and sportswomen as well as spectators are highly at risk during a thunderstorm if they stand on the playing field, in uncovered stands or next to poles or flagpoles. Keep at least 1 m, or even better 3 m away from poles. Covered stands need a lightning protection system on the roof to provide safety. Keep at least 3 m away from radio masts and flagpoles and put down any flags, umbrellas and golf clubs that you might be carrying.
What to do during fishing, hunting or camping
Fishermen on the water are at great risk during a thunderstorm. If you have just caught a fish, take it off the hook immediately, lay down your fishing rod and seek shelter on land. Hunters should immediately leave open tree stands at the first sign of lightning and thunder. When camping, never erect your tent directly next to poles or pylons, at the edge of a forest or next to isolated trees.
Use an insulating mattress and do not touch the tent poles during a thunderstorm. If your tent or caravan has no metal structure, it is as dangerous as an open field. Keep a distance of at least 3 m from other tents and caravans. Crouch down in your tent on an insulating, dry mattress and be sure to keep sufficient distance from the tent wall.
When on the golf course A golf course is one of the most dangerous places to be during a thunderstorm. Avoid isolated trees, open terrain and forest edges.
Shelters are only safe when equipped with a lightning protection system that conforms to relevant standards. If the time period between a flash and thunder is less than 30 seconds, go straight to a clubhouse, shelter or car.
To get there do not walk in groups of people, avoid physical contact with each other and leave your golf equipment behind. If the time period between a flash and thunder is only 5 seconds, crouch down immediately – preferably in a hollow.
Put your feet as close together as possible and tuck your head in. Stay in shelters for about 30 minutes after you hear the last rumble of thunder. When outside, the most important thing to remember is to crouch down low with as little of your body touching the ground as possible so that if you kneel down it’s just the balls of your feet touching the ground.