Lightning strikes—even indoors

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), July, 2004

Thunder booms. Lightning strikes. Quick--stop washing the dishes. While most of us have heard the warnings about swimming or boating during thunderstorms, avoiding other water contact when lightning is flashing is good safety advice, toe. That even means staying out of the shower and tub and, yes, keeping your hands out of dishwater.

Lightning kills or injures hundreds of Americans each year. Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these protection tips:

Seek shelter. Stay in enclosed buildings. Inner rooms are the safest. Avoid doors, windows, and anything that conducts electricity. Stay out of picnic pavilions and rain shelters. If need be, seek safety in a car and close the windows. As long as you are not touching metal, the car's steel frame offers some protection.

Do not use electrical appliances or telephones with cords. Lightning can follow electrical wires and phone lines into your home.

If caught outdoors, use the 30-30 rule. Seek a safer location immediately if the thunder occurs 30 seconds or less after the lightning. Once the storm has passed, wait at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash before leaving shelter.

Avoid lightning targets. Stay away from trees and any tall, isolated structures. If you are caught in an open area, drop metal items such as golf clubs and tennis racquets.