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You are here: Insurance Help - HOME > Lightning Safety

Lightning Safety



Lightning is one of nature's deadliest natural phenomena, killing more people in the U.S. than anyother weather hazard except flash floods. However, you can protect yourself by learning more about the hazards of lightning.

Avoiding Injury

  • Plan ahead. Always check the weather forecast before outdoor activities. Know where you can quickly find safe cover.

  • Take cover in a metal-topped vehicle if it's not possible to go inside a building, but don't touch any metal parts of the vehicle during a lightning storm.

  • Avoid unsafe locations : open sheds, tents, open boats, convertibles, temporary shelters; open areas like golf courses, athletic fields, and tennis courts; lakes, swimming pools, seashore; isolated trees; high ground; open windows or roof tops; places near wire fences, clotheslines, overhead wires, or railroad tracks.

  • Avoid using electrical appliances, telephones (unless it's an emergency), or plumbing fixtures such as shower heads or faucets.

  • Stay under cover until the danger passes. Lightning can strike even if there's no rain.

  • Remember, if you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Lightning Alert
If your skin tingles or your hair stands on end, lightning is about to strike! Crouch on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees and your head between them to make yourself the smallest target possible. Do NOT lie flat on the ground.


You can tell the distance to lightning by counting one second per mile between the flash and the thunder.

FALSE. The sound of thunder travels about one mile in five seconds-but don't rely on this method to stay safe. Lightning can strike at any time in threatening weather

If it isn't raining, you don't have to worry about lightning.

FALSE. Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles from the nearest rainfall

Most people who are killed by lightning are killed at the peak of a storm's intensity than during any other time.

FALSE. Although a greater number of lightning strikes may occur during the peak of a storm, more people are struck toward the start and end of a thunderstorm than at any other time.