Five Common Misconceptions About Lightning

At any one time around the planet, there are 2000 thunderstorms and 100 lightning strikes to earth per second. There is no defense for the occasional, unavoidable strike, but an awareness of what you should and should not do will raise your level of safety.

Myth #1
Lightning never strikes twice…it strikes the Empire State Building in NYC some 22-25 times per year!

Myth #2
Rubber tires or a foam pad will insulate me from lightning…it takes about 10,000 volts to create a one-inch spark. Lightning has millions of volts and easily can jump 10-20 feet!

Myth #3
Lightning rods will protect my ropes course when hiking…lightning rods are "preferential attachment points" for lightning. You do not want to "draw" lightning to any area with people nearby.

Myth #4
We should get off the water when boating, canoeing or sailing…tall trees and rocky outcrops along shore and on nearby land may be a more dangerous place.

Myth #5
A cave is a safe place in a thunderstorm…if it is a shallow cave, or an old mine with metallics nearby, it can be a deadly location during lightning.