Lightning safety

Summer storms bring their own kind of otherworldly magic, with the color and crash of lightning like we experience no other time of year. Of course, here at Educators Insurance Agency, we combine our appreciation of the season with practical sensibility toward safety. We’ve compiled several ways you can stay safe during summer storms, inside and out.

Though we’ve all heard how the length of time between thunder and lightning can tell you the distance from a storm, there’s more to the story. If you can hear thunder, lightning is near enough to strike you. That means the safest place to be is inside.

If possible, get to a home or building where you can stay away from windows and doors. Think about where you take protection; if you’re on an enclosed porch with a concrete floor, you’re still susceptible to electrical shock. Also stay away from plugged in, corded phones and computers.

If you’re on the road, take shelter in a vehicle with the windows up. Your tires will help to ground you in the event of a lightning strike.

Of course, summer means we take advantage of the nice weather by being outside. If you’re hiking, or camping and there are no shelter structures or vehicles nearby, carefully climb to lower levels. Also get out of and stay away from bodies of water such as lakes, the ocean or your swimming pool. If you’re at the beach, your best bet is to wait out the storm in your car; picnic pavilions often have open sides and concrete floors, offering little protection.

If you’re engaging in summer’s other pastime, a ball game, consider returning to your car if a more protected building is not available. Though the dugout may shade your favorite Little League player from the sun, it won’t keep him safe from lightning.

But as with every summer, let’s hope this one features more sun than lightning. Enjoy the weather with all the excitement it brings!