Lightning strike injuries can cause brain damage, eye damage, deafness, ringing ears,central nervous system: coma, seizures, amnesia, paralysis, respiratory system damage, heart attack, internal hemorrhage, skin burns, and finally death.


Once you hear thunder, it is time to act to prevent being struck by lightning. Generally speakingonce you can see lightning or hear thunder, you're already at risk for lightning injury or death. If the time delay between seeing the flash (lightning) and hearing the bang (thunder) is less than 30 seconds, immediately seek a safer location.

Avoid being in or near
High places and open fields, isolated trees, gazebos, open sided picnic shelters, baseball dugouts, communication towers, flagpoles, light poles, bleachers (metal or wood), metal fences, convertibles, golf carts, water (ocean, lakes, swimming pools, rivers, etc.)

When inside a building AVOID:
Use of the telephone or computer, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable TV wiring, plumbing, etc.

If driving:
Stay in your automobile. An enclosed automobile offers reasonably good protection from lightning, as long as you don't touch metal.
Pay attention to weather warning devices such as NOAA Weather Radio and/or credible Lightning Detection systems. Noaa All Hazards Radio and local weather forecasts should be monitored prior to any outdoor event to determine if thunderstorms are in the forecast. Use good common sense if living in or traveling across Kansas this year.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ddc/swaw/light.php

Thank you Sue.
We are in the lightning season here.

Love,
Vicky

Lightning can conduct through power lines, tall objects, high places, water, golf clubs, fishing poles, bicycles and metal cleats in shoes.

Good topic Sue.
Thank you.

Lightning can be savage and unpredictable, no two bolts are the same.

Instinct can lead to danger. You may be drawn to a lonely tree because it seems to offer shelter, but it actually serves as a lightning rod since it is the highest point.
You are better to stay in an open field and crouch down, but don't lie flat because then it makes you likely to be zapped by a lightning bolt that hits the ground and fans outward.

Listen to weather forcasts, seek shelter in a substantial structure, keep away from windows, and do not touch metal inside a vehicle.

You have some excellent suggestions Sue.

I also love your images.

Thank you girls.

Here is some more useful information:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4040_protect-yourself-lightning.html

Things You’ll Need:
Surge Protectors
Battery Radios

Step1 Get indoors - your best bet when a storm is predicted is to be inside, with all of your windows and doors closed.

Step2 Stay off the phone during a storm. This is because the electrical surges caused by lightning can enter your home right through the telephone line or the electrical wiring.

Step3 Avoid metal pipes, since these can be conductors for lightning.

Step4 Don't take a shower, wash your hands, wash dishes or use water in any other way if you think lightning is imminent - so you won't be electrocuted.

Step5 Turn off all your appliances (including computers, television sets and power tools) and unplug them.

Step6 Understand that you don't have to be in the heart of the storm to be in danger. The fact is that a bolt of lightning, which is five times hotter than the sun's surface, can strike as far as 10 miles away from where a storm is situated.

Step7 Use a surge protector (a special safety plug unit available at discount and hardware stores) to protect specific items, such as your computer, air conditioner and other electrical appliances. This will automatically shut down the electricity if lightning strikes, to prevent fires as well as damage to individual items.

Step8 Protect your entire house with lightning suppressors, which are special devices that can diminish the damage caused by a bolt. Use them on your electrical system, your television and cable antennas, and your phone system.

Good topic. Thank you Sue.

The best defense is plan ahead and avoid exposure to lightning when a thunderstorm occurs. Know where safe shelter is located and leave enough time to reach safe shelter before your danger level is high. Don't be an isolated tall object, and don't be connected to anything that may be an isolated tall object.

yoko

I am fascinated by lightnings. As the pictures posted show, they are magnificent, but the damage they can bring is really devastating. My mother always told us not to stay at the window, when there is lightning, it could be a high risk, even though staying indoors.
I often wondered why farmers leave their metallic machines in the midst of fields far away from their houses ... it is because they are easy conductors of the electrical charge and they could, if hit by lightning, cause fires.
Thank you all, dear ones, for the precious reminder!

Love and safety.
Margherita

Thank you for your replies everyone, and thank you Margherita for the wonderful images.

I never thought of the metallic farm equipment left on the fields. This is a very good point, and definitely something that should be avoided.

Love,
Sue