As Florida basks in the dubious distinction of being the lightning capital of the U.S., the Broward's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) takes this opportunity during National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, which runs from June 23 to June 29, to educate the public on the perils of thunderstorms. With summer in full swing, bringing forth an increase of outdoor activities on account of school breaks and summer vacations, the risk is magnified.
The core message from the OEM is clear: There is simply no safe place to be outdoors during a storm. To hastily seek a shelter, experts stress, could literally be a life-saving decision. According to the National Weather Service, lightning has the striking capability to reach out up to 10 miles from the storm's epicenter; where there's thunder, danger isn't far behind.
Commit these outdoor lightning safety tips to memory:
- Resist the instinct to crouch or lie flat on the ground; keep on the lookout for the nearest safe shelter or vehicle.
- An isolated tree is not a haven but a hazard; continue to seek proper shelter.
- Steer clear from water bodies such as pools and ponds.
- Heed the alarms of Broward County Parks' Lightning Prediction Systems; a 15-second long blast means it's time to find safety without delay.
- Avoid items that conduct electricity, like metal fences or light poles.
When indoors, OEM recommends to remain cautious and avoid direct contact with conductors of electricity. "Stay off computers and other electrical equipment," and "avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets" as they too can conduct electricity. Windows, doors, and concrete structures are also better off avoided during a storm.
Lastly, a particularly vital piece of information dispels a common misconception: people struck by lightning do not retain an electric charge and can be safely touched. "Providing immediate medical attention to lightning victims could save their life," says the National Weather Service. If you're in the position to offer assistance, begin CPR without delay. Educating yourself and others on these critical safety measures can turn a typically beautiful Floridian summer day from potentially fatal to just another day under the sun.
