The arrival of spring weather in Indiana means early flowers and green grass. It also means spring thunderstorms that streak the sky with lightning. “Although lightning is beautiful, it presents a deadly hazard,” said Rick Coons CEO, of Indiana Electric Cooperatives.

While we think of lightning as something that happens in the spring and summer, it’s actually a year-round phenomenon. “Lightning can appear in a strong snowstorm, or even from what seems like a clear sky. However, it’s most common during thunderstorms, so that’s when it pays to be particularly careful.

The National Weather Service says that no outdoor location is safe if thunderstorms are nearby. Lightning can travel as far as ten miles, so it’s possible to be struck by lightning even when a storm is not in the immediate area. That’s why they recommend that people remember the phrase, “When thunder roars, go indoors!” If you can hear thunder, you’re within range of the lightning that accompanies it.

“The best thing to do is to pay attention to the weather,” recommends Coons. “If lightning is expected, have a plan for where you’ll go if the weather changes. Choose your safe location carefully because not every structure offers the safety you need. For example, a simple picnic shelter or the gazebos you’ll find in many parks do not offer adequate protection. You’re only safe if you’re in a fully-enclosed building or a metal vehicle with a solid roof.”

If you can’t move to a safe shelter, there are several steps you can take to minimize the chance that you’ll be struck by lightning:

• Avoid tall objects like light towers and trees, because lightning tends to target the tallest objects in an area. Instead, go to low areas such as ravines or valleys.
• If it feels like your hair is standing on end or if you notice a tingling feeling, there’s a chance that lightning will strike you, so duck down as low as you can.
• A group of people also presents a larger target, so move away from crowds.
• Water is an excellent conductor of electricity, so don’t stand by a lake, pond, or on damp grass. If you’re out on a boat when a storm is approaching, move quickly (but carefully) to a dock or the shore.
• When you’re driving, stay in your vehicle until the storm passes. Try to avoid contact with metal objects in the vehicle’s interior and do not use a two-way radio.
• When indoors during a storm, stay away from windows, doors, plumbing, and electrical equipment. It is okay to use a cordless phone or a cell phone, however.
• Stay away from metal objects. If you’re golfing, put your clubs down and move away from them. If you’re fishing, stop holding your fishing rod.

“Don’t forget about your pets,” Coons adds. “Most doghouses are not safe from lightning and a dog that is chained with a metal chain may be exposed to a dangerous strike. The best recommendation is to bring pets indoors until the threat passes. They’ll be more comfortable that way, too.”

Finally, if you see someone get struck by lightning, call 911 immediately. Unlike people who come in contact with electric wires, lightning victims are safe to touch. If a victim needs first-aid or CPR, these procedures can be performed without endangering your own safety.

SOURCES: Electrical Safety Foundation International, National Fire Protection Association, National Weather Service.