Smith Point Lifeguards

Lightning Safety

Lightning is one of the most overlooked weather dangers. Every thunderstorm—whether it has one lightning bolt or a thousand—can be deadly.

In the U.S., lightning kills about 20 to 30 people each year and injures hundreds more. People often worry more about tornadoes, hail, or strong winds, but lightning is the only one that can strike outside of the storm. It’s usually the first danger to arrive and the last one to go.

Lightning is very hard to predict, so no one can promise full safety during a storm. But if you know the safety rules and follow them, you can lower your risk of getting hurt or killed. In the end, you are responsible for your safety, so be smart and take action when lightning is nearby. (www.noaa.gov)