As part of Lighting Awareness Week, the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness office would like to help you stay safe during the severe weather season.Here are some Lightning Myths:
- MYTH Structures with metal or metal on the body (jewelry, cell phones, watches, etc.) attract lightning. TRUTH Height, pointy shape and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where lightning strikes.
- MYTH If you are caught outside during a thunderstorm, you should crouch or lie flat on the ground to reduce your risk of being struck. TRUTH Crouching does not make you any safer during a storm. Run to a substantial building or hard topped vehicle. Lying flat increases your chances of being affected by potentially deadly ground current.
- Lightning can strike from a nearby thunderstorm even if it is not raining where you are.
- While metal does not attract lightning, it does conduct it.