Lightning Safety
Let’s see how much you know about lightning safety! Take the quiz then look up the answers below!
- True or false, lightning never strikes the same place twice.
- When outside in a field during a thunder storm the best action is to:
- Crouch down low
- Lie on the ground
- Move quickly to a safe place
- Extend a golf club high over your head
- True of false, if a person is struck by lightning, they are electrified and should not be touched.
- Choose the safe places to go during a thunder storm:
- Under a tall tree
- On top of a mountain
- In a tent
- In a house
- In a convertible car with rubber tires
- In a car with a metal roof
- Under a wooden shelter
- Outside with rubber soled shoes
- True or false, you are always safe from lightning when you are indoors.
- True or false, if it is not raining, you are safe from lightning strikes.
- True of false, the leading cause of death from lighting strikes is cardiac arrest.
- True of false, lightning strikes can cause fires.
- After a thunderstorm, how long should you wait to go outdoors after it stops raining:
- It is safe to go outside immediately after it stops raining
- 30 minutes
- Long enough to miss class
- 3 hours, 4 minutes and 36 seconds
- What kills more people per year:
- Sharks
- Bears
- Lightning strikes
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
ANSWERS!!!
- True or false, lightning never strikes the same place twice.
False – lighting often strike the same place repeatedly. It likes high, pointy objects. Lighting hits the Empire State Building 23 times per year.
- When outside in a field during a thunder storm the best action is to:
- Crouch down low
- Lie on the ground
- Move quickly to a safe place
- Extend a golf club high over your head
- True of false, if a person is struck by lightning, they are electrified and should not be touched.
False: The human body does not store electricity. It is safe to provide first aid and CPR to lighting strike victims.
- Choose the safe places to go during a thunder storm:
- Under a tall tree – often a good spot to be struck by lighting
- On top of a mountain – often a good spot to be struck by lighting
- In a tent – tents provide no protection
- In a house – best place to be
- In a convertible car with rubber tires – the tires provide no protection
- In a car with a metal roof – yes the metal roof and doors provide protection
- Under a wooden shelter with open sides – not adequate protection
- Outside with rubber soled shoes – the rubber provides no protection
- True or false, you are always safe from lightning when you are indoors.
False – lighting can travel along pipes and phone lines in your house
- True or false, if it is not raining, you are safe from lightning strikes.
False – lightning can strike up to 30 minutes after a storm
- True of false, the leading cause of death from lighting strikes is cardiac arrest.
True – call 911 and provide CPR immediately
- True of false, lightning strikes can cause fires.
True
- After a thunderstorm, how long should you wait to go outdoors after it stops raining:
- It is safe to go outside immediately after it stops raining
- 30 minutes
- Long enough to miss class
- 3 hours, 4 minutes and 36 seconds
- What kills more people per year:
- Sharks – 19 attacks per year with .5 fatalities (one every two years)
- Bears – less than one per year
- Lightning strikes – 84 per year
- Hurricanes - 17
- Tornadoes – 80 per year
References:
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/nwi/research/DebrisImpact/Reports/DDS.pdf
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/6/flash-facts-about-lightning
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/vef/LightningSafety.php