While lightning rarely makes headlines like other weather disasters, its combined effects are more serious. It kills more Americans each year than hurricanes and tornados combined.
It is also the greatest natural destroyer of property. But because it usually strikes only one building or one person at a time, it is less dramatic than other natural disasters. In the U.S. there are 25 million strikes each year.
Lightning's likeliest targets are the tallest ones in a given area, or the only ones there. Since a stroke does not select its target until the leader stroke is near the ground, it cannot be assumed that a tall object will shield a lower one.
Studies by the Lightning Protection Institute show that buildings with lightning protection systems are the safest, followed by large buildings with steel frames, closed metal vehicles, large buildings without lightning rods, and lastly, small buildings like houses.
In an unprotected home or building, stay away from metal objects, don't use the telephone except for an emergency, and stay away from windows.
If you are outdoors and out in the open, don't touch a metal object like a tractor, golf clubs, golf cart, or bicycle. Stay out of the water.
If lightning is striking around you, kneel down with your hands and feet touching. Place your hands on your knees, bend forward, and avoid touching the ground with anything but your feet.
