Lightning Dangers and Precautions

Although hurricanes and tornadoes receive most of the recognition, lightning occurs most often in the United States. Over 40 million lightning strikes occur every year, which results in nearly 100 deaths. This number is an underestimate of the actual number of casualties because of the underreporting of suspected lightning deaths and injuries.

What is Lightning?

The action of rising and descending air within a thunderstorm separates positive and negative charges. Water and ice particles also affect the distribution of the electrical charge.

Lightning results from the buildup and discharge of electrical energy between positively and negatively charge areas.

An average flash could illuminate a 100 watt light bulb for more than three months.

The air near a lightning strike is heated to 50,000F, which is hotter than the surface of the sun. The rapid heating and cooling of the air near the lightning channel causes a shock wave that results in thunder.

Lightning Safety Rules

• Watch for environmental clues, such as increasing wind, flashes of lightning, sounds of thunder, darkening skies, and AM radio static.
• Avoid being the tallest object.
• Do not stand under or near an isolated tree or small group of trees.
• When outdoors, get inside a sturdy structure before the storm approaches.
• Unplug all unnecessary appliances BEFORE the storm approaches.
• DO NOT use the telephone during the storm, unless it's an emergency!
• Don't stand by open windows, doors, or patios during a thunderstorm.
• Get out of boats and away from water.
• If lightning is occurring and a sturdy shelter is not available, get inside a hard topped automobile and keep the windows up. The rubber tires DO NOT protect you, it's the roof.
• Do not take a bath or shower during a storm.
• If you feel your skin tingle or your hair stands on end, squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible, and be sure to minimize your contact with the ground!

REMEMBER:

If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning!!!

Wet Road Driving

Why is rainy-day driving so risky? Traction is the simple answer. During dry weather, oily substances from car exhaust settle into the pavement below the level of contact with your tires. The first hour of a steady rain brings the oil to the surface.

Greasy roads and heavy traffic are a bad combination. Hurried drivers need to increase their following distance, but often don't. They learn with a crash that their braking power is a fraction of what they expect.

How to avoid hydroplaning

As rainfall increases, tires must cut through the water to maintain contact with the road. If there's too much water on the road and you are traveling too fast, your vehicle may start to ride on top of the water a condition called hydroplaning or aquaplaning.

Don't drive with bald or badly worn tires.

Ensure your tires are properly inflated.

Slow down when rainfall is heavy or storm water is standing on the road.

Turn off your cruise control.

When the road is slippery, turn off your cruise control system. Snow, ice, slush or even rain can cause wheel-spin and loss of control.

The only way to stop this wheel-spin and maintain control is to immediately reduce power. However, an activated cruise control system will continue to apply power, keeping the wheels spinning. By the time you disengage the cruise control, you may have lost control.

Avoid flooded roads.

Try to avoid driving, even at low speed, through a flooded areas. Deep water can stall your vehicle's engine and reduce the vehicle's braking ability.

When your brakes get wet.

Sometimes a puddle is deeper than it looks. If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.

Heat and Humidity Dangers The dangers of heat and humidity

When heat and humidity combine to reduce the amount of evaporation of sweat from the body, outdoor exercise becomes dangerous even for those in good shape. Key rules for coping with heat are to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and to slow down and cool off when feeling fatigued, a headache, a high pulse rate or shallow breathing. Overheating can cause serious, even life-threatening conditions such as heat stroke.

Effects of heat illnesses:

Heat cramps:
Exercising in hot weather can lead to muscle cramps, especially in the legs, because of brief imbalances in body salts. Cramps become less frequent as a person becomes used to the heat.

Heat syncope or fainting:
Anyone not used to exercising in the heat can experience a quick drop in blood pressure that can lead to fainting. As with heat cramps, the cure is to take it easy.

Heat exhaustion:
Losing fluid and salt through perspiration or replacing them in an imbalanced way can lead to dizziness and weakness. Body temperature might rise, but not above 102 degrees. In some cases victims, especially the elderly, should be hospitalized. Heat exhaustion is more likely after a few days of a heat wave than when one is just beginning. The best defense is to take it easy and drink plenty of water. Don't take salt tablets without consulting a physician.

Heatstroke:
In some cases extreme heat can upset the body's thermostat, causing body temperature to rise to 105 degrees or higher. Symptoms are lethargy, confusion and unconsciousness. Even a suspicion that someone might be suffering from heatstroke requires immediate medical aid. Heatstroke can kill.