It’s quite shocking when people aren’t aware of the dangers of being outdoors during a thunder storm (Pun intended). Lightning travels at an alarming 320,000,000 ft per second. While that may only be a third of actual light-speed, it’s faster than any human and most super heroes. Lightning may even give the Flash a run for his money. With stats like that, it’s a no brainer to say that being out in a storm where lightning is prevalent, it is a gamble with your life. So, let’s not forget when Drake coined “YOLO,” and throw your one life away because you weren’t informed of the hazards of a thunder storm.
Experts at CDC earlier this month released an update to their lightening safety PSA. In it, they include the usual pamphlets and learning resources for spreading awareness. But more important than the brochures, are the lesson plans customized to informing the general work place, a county, or a community. This is vital in the attempt to get more indoors during the time of storms. The basics for what everyone should know, provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
- No one, ABOSOLUTELY NO ONE, is safe from a lightning strike if you are outside.
- If you hear it, it is close enough to harm you.
- You should always wait 30 minutes after you realize the coast is clear to be sure the coast is clear.
According to National Weather Service “Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year.” If you still aren’t scared of a little shock, how about looking at the facts provided by National Geographic about the fatality of lightning. They informed us in 2005 that about 10% of the population struck by lightning dies, while 70% are critically injured and may have lasting effects of memory loss, or permanent brain damage. During the time this article came out, the rate at which people being struck were 1 out of 700,000 chances for citizens in the US. That’s just over the course of 1 year. Imagine a life time of evading lightning bolts. With 320,000,000 ft per second, not very much dodging happens for someone who gets struck. So how do we escape these terrible thunder storms? Simple, you escape indoors.
So next time you get the desire to catch a bolt in a selfie from a high elevation, remember two things:
- That no camera can shoot at that shutter speed (as of yet)
- No person comes out a lightning strike completely unscathed.
I’m sure your followers would give a picture of you burnt to a crisp all the likes, but the likes won’t pay the medical bills or heal the trauma. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe. “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
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