These simple safety measures can reduce the risk of getting hit by lightning.
Go inside. When thunder roars, head indoors. Nowhere outdoors is safe when lightning is around, says Mary Ann Cooper, MD, an emergency medicine physician at the University of Illinois Chicago and longtime lightning injury researcher. Remaining outside and crouching will not reduce the risk of being struck, according to the National Weather Service. Inside a car should be safe, as long as the vehicle has a metal roof (not a convertible) and you roll up all the windows. If lightning strikes the car, the bolt will pass through the metal exterior and the axle or the wheels to the ground.
Avoid trees. Don't go under a tree to get out of a storm, says Phillip Yarnell, MD, FAAN, a consulting neurologist at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood, CO, and co-founder of St. Anthony's Lightning Data Center. When lightning strikes a tree, it can side flash to people under it or radiate out into the ground, causing a current that can kill anyone standing nearby, Dr. Cooper says.
Scout out shelters. If you're at a park, athletic field, lake, or golf course, make sure you know where you can take cover quickly.
Heed warnings. Listen to lifeguards, coaches, and referees when they say to clear out of the water or leave the field because of thunder and possible lightning, says Dr. Cooper.
Wait it out. Allow 30 minutes to pass from the last time you heard thunder to go outside or come out from shelter. After that much time, the chance of another strike is very low, according to research.
Check weather reports. Pay attention to any warnings about storms. Even if it's sunny out, a thunderstorm farther away can be trouble, says Dr. Yarnell. Lightning can travel 12 to 15 miles from a thunderstorm, says the National Weather Service.
Take care at home. Do not use computers, landline phones, and other electrical equipment during a thunderstorm. Steer clear of sinks and bathtubs because pipes and water can conduct lightning. Keep away from windows, open doors, and porches—even if you love to see lightning flash across the sky, says Dr. Cooper.
Exercise early. Start any hike, bike ride, or mountain climb in the morning, since thunderstorms tend to happen later in the afternoon.
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