Lightning Safety

Let’s see how much you know about lightning safety! Take the quiz then look up the answers below!

1. True or false, lightning never strikes the same place twice.
    
2. When outside in a field during a thunder storm the best action is to:
   1. Crouch down low
   2. Lie on the ground
   3. Move quickly to a safe place
   4. Extend a golf club high over your head
       
3. True of false, if a person is struck by lightning, they are electrified and should not be touched.
    
4. Choose the safe places to go during a thunder storm:
   1. Under a tall tree
   2. On top of a mountain
   3. In a tent
   4. In a house
   5. In a convertible car with rubber tires
   6. In a car with a metal roof
   7. Under a wooden shelter
   8. Outside with rubber soled shoes
       
5. True or false, you are always safe from lightning when you are indoors.
    
6. True or false, if it is not raining, you are safe from lightning strikes.
    
7. True of false, the leading cause of death from lighting strikes is cardiac arrest.
    
8. True of false, lightning strikes can cause fires.
    
9. After a thunderstorm, how long should you wait to go outdoors after it stops raining:
   1. It is safe to go outside immediately after it stops raining
   2. 30 minutes
   3. Long enough to miss class
   4. 3 hours, 4 minutes and 36 seconds
       
10. What kills more people per year:
    1. Sharks
    2. Bears
    3. Lightning strikes
    4. Hurricanes
    5. Tornadoes

ANSWERS!!!

1. 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.
    
2. When outside in a field during a thunder storm the best action is to:
   1. Crouch down low
   2. Lie on the ground
   3. Move quickly to a safe place
   4. Extend a golf club high over your head
       
3. 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.
    
4. Choose the safe places to go during a thunder storm:
   1. Under a tall tree – often a good spot to be struck by lighting
   2. On top of a mountain – often a good spot to be struck by lighting
   3. In a tent – tents provide no protection
   4. In a house – best place to be
   5. In a convertible car with rubber tires – the tires provide no protection
   6. In a car with a metal roof – yes the metal roof and doors provide protection
   7. Under a wooden shelter with open sides – not adequate protection
   8. Outside with rubber soled shoes – the rubber provides no protection
       
5. 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
    
6. 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
    
7. True of false, the leading cause of death from lighting strikes is cardiac arrest.
   True – call 911 and provide CPR immediately
    
8. True of false, lightning strikes can cause fires.
   True
    
9. After a thunderstorm, how long should you wait to go outdoors after it stops raining:
   1. It is safe to go outside immediately after it stops raining
   2. 30 minutes
   3. Long enough to miss class
   4. 3 hours, 4 minutes and 36 seconds
       
10. What kills more people per year:
    1. Sharks – 19 attacks per year with .5 fatalities (one every two years)
    2. Bears – less than one per year
    3. Lightning strikes – 84 per year
    4. Hurricanes - 17
    5. Tornadoes – 80 per year

References:

https://www.depts.ttu.edu/nwi/research/DebrisImpact/Reports/DDS.pdf
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/06/0623_040623_lightningfacts.html
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/safety.shtml
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/myths.shtml