WHEN THUNDER ROARS GO INDOORS
Lightning kills approximately 24 000 people around the world every year.
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WHEN THUNDER ROARS GO INDOORS
Lightning is the most consistent weather killer on earth. It kills more people than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods.
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WHEN THUNDER ROARS GO INDOORS
Deaths due to lightning are almost completely preventable
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WHEN THUNDER ROARS GO INDOORS
Follow safety guidelines. Do not become a statistic!
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Professor Ryan Blumenthal has made it his life’s passion to study one of natures most prolific serial killers: Lightning. In the show he takes us through each case step by step, as well as, brings you stories from survivors and victims. This is a show like you have never seen before!

It is all about:

INFORMATION

LIGHTNING SAFETY

FORENSIC PATHOLOGY

LIGHTNING AWARENESS

The next show starts

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The show is on! Tune into Peoples weather to watch. See you same time tomorrow...

WATCH THE SHOW ON: DSTV CHANNEL 180 & OPENVIEW CHANNEL 115

KEEP SAFE! ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEATHER!

SOME TRUTHS ABOUT LIGHTNING

There are many myths about lightning. Almost all cultures on Earth have their own beliefs about what causes it.

Firstly, we need to know how to think critically about lightning. Why are there so many myths about lightning? Could it be that previous generations didn’t fully understand the complex science behind lightning? Could it be that these myths have been passed down from one generation to the next without being seriously questioned?

It is time to start thinking critically about lightning.

Lightning is a sudden natural electrical discharge of a very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder.

The truth of the matter is that lightning is dangerous. It is the most consistent weather killer on earth. It kills more people than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods.

Lightning kills approximately 24 000 people around the world every year. And approximately 240 000 people will be struck or injured but survive a lightning strike, often with severe disabilities. Lightning is a completely random and anonymous killer.

SOME MYTHS ABOUT LIGHTNING

  • Lightning injuries are always fatal – only three out of 10 die, according to a US study
  • Major cause of lightning death is from burns – The only immediate cause of death is a heart attack
  • Someone struck by lightning bursts into flames – in reality lightning flashes over the outside of a victim, leaving little external signs of injury
  • Lightning never strikes the same place twice – The Empire State Building is hit dozens of times a year, while mountaintops and radio-television towers get struck regularly
  • Umbrellas do not attract lightning – The person with the umbrella has the same risks as the person without the umbrella
  • Cellphones, iPods, and other electronic gadgets attract lightning – Their use prevents people from paying attention to the weather leading many to the assumption that their use attracts lightning
  • It is safe to seek shelter under a tree – One of the most dangerous places to stand during lightning is under a tree or near tall object
  • If you are not killed by lightning you will be okay – Victims suffer chronic pain, attention deficit, depression, cataracts in their eyes, post traumatic stress disorder or neurological complications.
  • Victims of lightning remain electrified and are dangerous to touch – A person does not retain a charge like a battery. This myth has led to unnecessary deaths due to delayed efforts to save the patient.

WAYS IN WHICH LIGHTNING CAN KILL

Deaths due to lightning are almost completely preventable if people heed the safety measures.

Lightning can strike one directly. It can also strike one indirectly – by contact with an object such as a pole or a tree that was struck directly.

Lightning can ‘side flash’ from a struck object, such as a tree, to a nearby victim.

Its current can also flow from the soil beneath. This earth current can flow up one limb and down another of the victim, which can result in injury or even death. In other words, lightning can travel through the ground like ripples on the surface of the water.

Recent research published in the South African Journal of Science explained another way in which lightning can injure people – namely lightning’s pressure blast wave.

This pressure blast wave is almost the same as that of a 5 kg TNT bomb and can injure people within 10 m of a lightning flash. This is about enough energy to blow up a concrete pavement.

ELECTRICAL THUNDERSTORM PRECAUTIONS

All building structures should have a lightning conductor – nearby but not touching. Stay indoors during a thunderstorm and if you are travelling, stay in the vehicle.

Don’t continue the barbecue (braai). Practising lightning safety is never convenient. Stand under an enclosed metallic shelter if you can.

When indoors try to stay away from corded electrical appliances. It is a good idea to unplug electrical appliances when you hear thunder rumble.

Taking a bath is considered marginally safer than taking a shower during a thunderstorm.

Do not swim during a thunderstorm. Get out of the water when you hear thunder – especially if it takes 30 seconds between lightning flash and thunder bang. If it is 30 seconds or less you are in danger. Wait until there has been no lightning or thunder for thirty minutes before going back in.

If you are in a boat seek shelter.

If you are caught in the open, go inside a fully enclosed building. Avoid hilltops and don’t take shelter under lone trees.

If you are in the open playing sport, fishing, playing golf, soccer or rugby, try and find a fully enclosed metallic shelter. Rather stop the match and go indoors until the storm is over. It is better to have all members playing the game at a later stage than losing any one of your teammates.

Listen to the weather station in your area and give yourself adequate time to get home before thunderstorms arrive. Try and use social media and mobile phones to warn of impending thunderstorm activity. Invest in a lightning early warning system for severe weather to protect lives.

Lightning is dangerous. One should not tempt fate. When thunder roars, go indoors.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE CREDIT: https://theconversation.com/some-truths-about-lightning-when-thunder-roars-go-indoors-42098









WHEN THUNDER ROARS GO INDOORS