Flashes of light in the sky are referred to as lightning. Due to the air there expanding and contracting, we are currently hearing loud noises. Such electrical charges can be emitted between two clouds as well as between a cloud and the ground. Lightning generates DC current.
Lightning’s impacts prevent many precious materials from being mined or trapped underground because it carries a lot of electricity underneath. A tremendous quantity of energy is produced by lightning. An average cloud-to-ground lightning strike has an energy output of around a billion joules.
The higher atmosphere is colder than the lower atmosphere. Because of this, clouds frequently appear to be moving upwards. These are known as thunderclouds. These clouds have microscopic water particles much like other clouds do. And as it rises, the volume of water increases.
Additionally, this infusion has a higher value than the bottom portion. An electric charge is released from top to bottom as a result of this potential difference. Currently, we can observe lightning or lightning strikes.
To prevent lightning extreme precautions must be taken.
Indoor Safety
You can still be in danger even though your house is a haven from a lightning storm. Injury from lightning strikes occurs indoors around one-third of the time. Here are some precautions you may take to stay safe and lower your chance of being struck by lightning indoors –
- Avoid Water: During a thunderstorm, avoid bathing, taking a shower, washing dishes, or engaging in any other water-related activities since lightning can pass through a structure’s plumbing. Plastic pipes may reduce the chance of lightning entering a plumbing system compared to metal pipes. To lessen your danger of being struck by lightning, it is advised to stay away from plumbing and flowing water during a thunderstorm.
- Don’t Touch Electronic Equipment: Useless appliances such as computers, laptops, game consoles, washers, dryers, and stoves should not be used. Any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring, as well as radio and television reception equipment, can all be struck by lightning. Install whole-house surge protectors in your house to safeguard your appliances.
- Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete: Avoid going near windows, doors, and porches. During a thunderstorm, DO NOT lean on concrete walls or floors. Any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring might conduct lightning.
- Don’t use corded phones: It is NOT safe to use corded phones during a thunderstorm. Use them not. The use of cordless or mobile phones is secure during a storm, though.
Outdoor Safety
Even though there is nowhere outside that is safe during a thunderstorm, you can reduce your risk by anticipating the possibility of lightning and taking the necessary precautions. Avoiding lightning is the best kind of defense. Here are some safety recommendations for the outdoors to help you stay safe –
- Be aware: Before engaging in outside activities, check the weather forecast. If a thunderstorm is predicted, postpone your journey or activity, or make sure there is an appropriate safe place to hide out.
- Seek shelter immediately, even if caught out in the open: If you find yourself in an open place, move swiftly to locate cover. The most crucial thing to do is to get out of harm’s way. While crouching or lowering yourself to the ground can lessen your risk of being struck, it does not put you in a safer position.
The following activities could lessen your danger of getting struck by lightning if you find yourself outside without a protective shelter nearby:
- Get off any elevated terrain right away, such as peaks, ridges, or hills.
- Never lay on your back on the ground. With your hands covering your ears and your head tucked, crouch down so that you are as low to the ground as possible.
- Never take cover under a lone tree. In a forest, seek refuge near lower trees.
- Never seek cover under a cliff or rocky overhang.
- Get out of lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water right away.
- Avoid touching anything that conducts electricity, such as windmills, power lines, or barbed wire fences.
- Separate from others: During a thunderstorm, if you are with a group, keep your distance from one another. Because of this, there will be fewer injuries if lightning strikes the ground.
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Writer
Mobina Mostary
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE