Interesting article about lightning.

songbird · ‎03-21-2010

I've just read an interesting article about lighting. What not to do when a storm comes near. Although things are a lot safer now with plastic pipes instead of metal. It can still be dangerous. Don't shower or wash dishes while a thunderstorm is approaching. Don't wash your hands. Don't sit outside on the porch (I'm guilty of doing that) Keep way from corded phones. Cell phones are perfectly safe, so long as they are not plugged in. Don't go near windows. When I read that, I was reminded of a bizarre incident as a child. I had a bed that faced a window. Normally I slept with my head just under the window. One day I moved away (feet first under the window) as there was loud thunderstorm going on. The window burst and shattered glass from a clap of thunder. I doubt I would have been cut....but there was glass all over the covers of my feet. So many ordinary things you can't do! But I'll think twice before I go out on the porch during a storm.

About 180 people a year are struck by lightning (mostly when they are outside) About 10% of those are fatal. Chances aren't that high, but still if pays to be careful.

KathyM23 · ‎11-20-2010

I had a 2 story house with a large tree in front of the master bedroom window. I like to watch storms and I was in the window watching the storm when the tree was struck by lightning. Knocked me to the bedroom floor and burnt the bark off the front of the tree. That cured me of storm watching and we had to have the tree taken down.

DrakesMomma · ‎06-02-2010

This happened a few years before my Daddy died. I was eight. We were going to the small cottage he owned to go fishing. It was cloudy but not raining. We were getting out of the car and lightning stuck him. He went down fast! He was 6'4" and crazy strong. Until that moment, I was never so scared in my life. I had started for the neighbor that was always around when he started to to get up. Until he died he had a grey place on his side about the size of a grapefruit.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

Don't stand under a tree or any tall thing when caught outdoors during a storm with lightning. The flag pole is not your friend.

Unplug things that you don't want to take a chance on losing if you are hit.

Don't take a shower, wash dishes or do the laundry during a storm.

If you're expecting a storm in your area, try to finish cooking your dinner before it's expected.

The house I lived in before my current home was hit outside and it ruined the compressor in my central AC unit. The house I live in now was hit in my front yard. My husband was out front when the lightning hit a very tall Washingtonia palm which fell.

If you are about to be hit by lightning, the hair on your body may stand up.

songbird · ‎03-21-2010

I shut down everything just before a big storm. I even unplug the TV. Drives my husband up a wall. He thinks I over react. We have a smallish central room (no windows in the room) we do to during tornado warnings. So far it hasn't happen, despite warnings. (So far so good) But during big thunderstorms, I go there. Per the laundry. If forgot about that, but I've already decided not to do laundry when there are storms forecasts. The last time, a storm did not happen, so I wasted a day I could have done the wash.

Mindy D · ‎05-23-2010

@songbird wrote:
I shut down everything just before a big storm. I even unplug the TV. Drives my husband up a wall. He thinks I over react. We have a smallish central room (no windows in the room) we do to during tornado warnings. So far it hasn't happen, despite warnings. (So far so good) But during big thunderstorms, I go there. Per the laundry. If forgot about that, but I've already decided not to do laundry when there are storms forecasts. The last time, a storm did not happen, so I wasted a day I could have done the wash.

@songbird You are not over reacting. I used to unplug the TV too but right now it's hard to access the plug. I unplug the microwave, portable phones and anything I see plugged in. Most of my other plugs in the house are not left plugged in. We lose power here daily and we have multiple power surges all the time. I live in Florida and lightning and thunder are an everyday occurance here. I've had to change the batteries in my central AC thermostat quite a few times after power surges. I have to constantly reset the clock on my stove and on my microwave if I've left it plugged in when we have lost power.