What is not clever to do in a lightning storm?

Question

Either inside or when caught outside.

I was leaning outside my upstairs windows to clean the exterior PVC frames during a lightning storm last week.... and it did occur to me it might not be clever.

Also.. outside I'm stuck too. Something about not waiting it out under a tree....

Answer 1

Although most of the answers are good ones an I-Pod is ok so long as it is not conected to an auxilary power source I.E. to your homes electrical system.

As a Skywarn Spotter for the National Weather Service I must represent the NWS Properly in my answers.

There are alot of thing that you should and should not do during a T-Storm or an approching T-Storm.

Just Remember the safest thing to do is
Seek Shelter inside a sturdy structure and avioid windows

These are my Favorite Lightning Safety Links


LIGHTNING SAFETY LINKS

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/lightning.html

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/more.htm

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/overview.htm

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/severewx/safety.php

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/lightning/ltg_faq.shtml

http://newweb.wrh.noaa.gov/hnx/LightningMyths-1.pdf

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/survivors.htm

http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headlines/essd18jun99_1.htm

Answer 2

Outside can be a real problem. If you are in the open, you become the lightning rod. Tall trees make pretty good lightning rods, too. With no other choice get under the shortest tree around, but preferably find a building or even a culvert to shelter in.

I agree, too, that during a thunderstorm is not the most desirable time to clean upstairs exterior PVC frames. Better to curl up with a good book well away from the walls & windows.

Answer 3

One of the main reasons not to be standing under a tree in a thunderstorm is actually because if the tree is struck by lightning it can heat the sap underneath the bark and vaporise it causing the bark to explode off the tree. It's also not wise to be playing golf, be in water etc etc. Apparently, if you can hear thunder in the distance you are at risk of being struck by lightning as lightning can travel over 10 miles from its point of origin.

Inside, it's best to unplug telephones and televisions in case the aerials or lines are struck.

Answer 4

Don't be anywhere near water...so don't wash dishes, be in a pool, wash your hands, clean windows, that sort of thing. a friend of mine got electrocuted drawing herself a bath and touching the knobs during a thunderstorm/ lightning storm.

Then there are the obvious ones...don't be under a tree, but at the same time, don't be in the middle of a field. If you're grilling food outside don't use metal utensils. don't fix anything electrical inside or outside. Unplug appliances or plug them into a surge protector, just make sure they're turned off.

Answer 5

Lightning is attracted to earth
It finds tall objects that would allow it to fall to earth
Standing under a tree is thus dangerous as the lightning will be drawn to it and also any metal objects like electrical frames and poles
Inside using any electrical device like a phone or even switching on a light will be dangerous as the lightning will be drawn to the electricity

Answer 6

first of all, inside. you do not want to use any electronicals of high power, like playstions or computer. these items might get struck by lighning and u get fried too while using them.

outside, try not to stand at an open area which makes u the highest peak. lightning will strike you when u are. and the only reason you should not stand under a tree would be because if it get struck, you might hurt yourself as the tree catches fire or its branches fall.

either way, inside or outside, DO NOT use your mobile phone. my friend has ear drums damaged coz his phone got struck when he was talkin on it during a lightning storm.

text messages is ok though for it is a single way signal wave.

Answer 7

The worst thing to do during a lightning storm,
would be to take a long metal pole, and, keeping it
vertically, go to an open, most elevated place, and wait
until you are killed. It would not take long. If you are
in a hurry, a copper pole would work better. You may make it a banner too.

But keep in mind that Apostle Peter will not look very
hospitable to you. (The place seems overpopulated now.
But so does the opposite one.)

Answer 8

They say in a lightning storm to stay low to the ground if you're outside, and if you're inside and worried about getting struck then you may suffer from a condition called paranoia. Maybe the clever thing to do would be to call a psychiatrist.

Answer 9

One thing you can do is listen to Riders On The Storm by The Doors, and that will take your mind off the thunder and lightning.

Answer 10

Don't play golf or any sport outside. don't talk on the phone or take a shower or bath. There is alot of stuff you shouldn't do during a storm. Oh one I heard today if you are in a car don't touch any thing metal.