During a thunderstorm, lightning can be particularly dangerous.
Every year, lightning is responsible for real dramas as was the case in Paris in a park, in Vienne or in Pas-de-Calais.
To avoid a tragic accident caused by lightning, there are rules of caution to know and adopt.
It's true:it is not always easy to protect yourself from lightning. There are many precautions to take.
The major problem is that lightning can be transmitted through many conductive media.
Of course, one can be struck directly by lightning. But that's not all... Simple contact with a blasted object can be fatal.
You can also be the victim of a lateral flash:this is the case when you are not far from a struck object or when you are walking near an impact.
Never underestimate the danger during a thunderstorm. The risk of lightning does exist, even when the storm seems unimpressive.
The first rule before considering an outing in nature, from a simple walk to a more sporty hike, is to consult the weather forecast.
Make sure there are no storms forecast and that the meteorological services do not issue warnings.
If you are surprised by a thunderstorm while you are outside, you must try at all costs to get to shelter .
A car can do the trick:it will provide you with so-called "Faraday" protection, thanks to its tires.
If you can't take shelter, here are 10 essential tips to avoid lightning.
1. If you are outside and there is no place to shelter during the storm, crouch down with your head between your legs.
2. If you're swimming, get out of the water, whether it's a sea, lake, river, pool or hot tub. Stay away from any body of water.
3. If possible, take shelter in a building and close the windows.
4. Avoid running.
5. Do not stay near a group of people.
6. At sea or in the mountains, get rid of metallic objects likely to attract lightning.
7. Remove metal jewelry.
8. Do not use a landline or cell phone.
9. Stop any outdoor activity that you are practicing:picnic or snack, game of football, horseback riding, bike ride, walk...
10. Stay away from anything that is tall and vertical:trees, poles, power lines and billboards.
Lightning is a captivating, awe-inspiring and often beautiful natural phenomenon. But as fascinating as she is, she remains a threat.
Each year, 200 to 300 people are struck by lightning. And 10 to 30 of them die from this impact. Lightning causes almost as many accidental deaths as avalanches.
And it is in summer that the storms are the most numerous. Unfortunately, it is also during this period that we spend the most time outdoors:the danger is therefore particularly high. Be careful :-)
