Take a quick guess about how many thunderstorms are active at any given moment on Earth.... It's a big number. At any given time about 1,800 thunderstorms are raging, each one can be accompanied by lightning. While standard homeowners insurance covers property damage from lightning strikes to your home and the comprehensive portion of an auto policy covers your car, the threat of bodily harm remains a concern. Plus, by understanding the truths and the myths, hopefully you can better protect yourself from personal or property damage caused by lightning.
During a thunderstorm, seeking shelter in a sturdy building or a fully enclosed vehicle is advised for safety. But sometimes, these options aren't available, making it crucial to discern between lightning myths and facts to protect yourself.
Lightning only strikes the tallest objects (Fiction). Lightning can hit anywhere, from the ground to cars and even open spaces like parking lots. The height of an object will make the chances of a strike more prevalent, a lack of height isn't a guarantee for lightning not to strike. Plus, lightning never strikes twice in the same place (Fiction). Lightning often hits the same spot multiple times, especially tall, isolated structures. Skyscrapers, for instance, will get hit multiple times per year.
If you find yourself caught in the elements, taking shelter under a tree is safer than no shelter at all (Fiction). Tall objects have a better chance of getting struck. You may stay dry under a tree, but seeking refuge under a tree is risky as lightning can strike trees, causing a ground charge that spreads out from the trunk. Lying flat on the ground isn't advised as doing so actually increases the chances of electrocution as lightning can create deadly electrical currents along the ground.
A car is a safer option than being outside. Rubber tires will prevent a ground surge from entering your car (Fact). However, rubber tires on a motorcycle or an exposed car like a convertable won't provide protection from a lightning strike, unlike a covered vehicle. In a car, protection comes from the metal body diverting the lightning, not the rubber tires.
Wearing metal attracts lightning (Fiction). Metal presence doesn't significantly influence where lightning strikes; factors like height and isolation matter more. However, being near metal objects during a storm can be risky.
A house guarantees safety from lightning (Fiction). While a house is safer, precautions like avoiding electrical paths outside and not standing near windows are crucial. Homes with Lightning Rods offer the highest safety. Surge protectors alone can't shield a home from a direct lightning strike. Normally, a comprehensive lighting protection system must be used.
Touching a lightning victim will NOT electrocute you. The human body doesn't store electricity, so it's safe to provide first aid to lightning victims.
