Summer storms bring more than just rain!
The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center wants to keep you and your family safe this summer. Lightning causes more casualties in the United States than any other weather-related phenomenon except flooding. Lightning injuries can lead to permanent disability or death.
On average 20% of lightning strike victims die, and 70% of survivors suffer life-long disabilities. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 27% of lightning incidents occur in open fields, 14% under trees and 8% are water related. Seventy-five percent of strikes occur during summer months. People are most at risk between 2:00 and 6:00 pm; males are more likely to be struck than females.
Keep an eye on the sky. Warning signs include thickening, darkening clouds, a sudden drop in temperature, flashes of light, increasing winds or sounds of thunder in the distance. The National Lightning Safety Institute advises: “If you can see it, flee it; if you can hear it, clear it.” Lightning can travel as far as 10 miles, making it appear to strike “out of a clear blue sky.” By the time you hear thunder, you are already in range of where the next ground flash of lightning may occur.
- If a storm comes up suddenly and you find yourself caught outside, look for an enclosed structure, such as a building or motor vehicle. Stay away from metal items, including bleachers, fences, baseball bats, tent poles, golf clubs and other sports-related equipment.
- If you are unable to reach shelter, move to a low-lying area, away from wide-open spaces, tall trees, poles, or metal objects. Keep twice as far away from an object as it is high (i.e., move 20 feet away from a 10-foot pole).
- Move at least 100 yards inshore away from all water, lakes or pools.
- Do not huddle together as a group. Instead, spread out at least 15 feet from one another to minimize the risk of being struck.
- Become a smaller target by assuming a lightning crouch. Squat low to the ground; keep feet together and your head tucked low, covering your ears to minimize hearing damage.
A safety message from The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center. For more information visit our web site at www.njburncenter.com