LIGHTNING SAFETY TIPS

Lightning can cause serious injury or even death.  Nearly 100 Americans are
killed by lightning each year.  Always follow the safety rules shown below when
a thunderstorm is in your vicinity:

1.  If you are in the water, get out immediately!

2.  Never be the tallest object in an outside area during a lightning storm.

3.  Stay indoors and avoid being outside unless absolutely necessary.

4.  Leave the golf course, playground or other wide open outdoor area, and
    take shelter in a building.  If no buildings are available, your best
    protection is a cave or ditch.

5.  Stay away from open doors and windows, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal
    pipes, sinks, and plug-in appliances because lightning can track along or
    through them.

6.  Stay off the telephone during a lightning storm.  The lightning may strike
    the phone lines and track into your house and phone.

7.  If you are driving through a thunderstorm in your car, stay in your vehicle
     until the storm has passed.  Cars offer excellent lightning protection.

8.  If you should ever be outside and feel an electrical charge during a
    thunderstorm and your hair stands up and your skin begins to tingle--watch
    out lightning is about to strike.  Drop down to your knees on the ground
    immediately.

9.  Persons struck by lightning receive a severe electrical shock and most
    likely will be burned.  However they carry no electrical current and can be
    helped.  A person struck by lightning and killed can actually be revived if
    prompt action is taken.  If you or someone nearby knows CPR it can be used
    to revive the person hit by lightning.



     Source: The Amercian Red Cross & NOAA