Release: Lightning Safety Tips from Nassau County

In observance of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, June 19-25, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today reminded residents that being outside is the most dangerous place to be during a lightning or thunderstorm. 

Every thunderstorm produces lightning, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with an average of 300 people injured and 80 people killed each year by lightning.

“With more people outdoors during the summer and the fact that Long Island often has warm, humid conditions throughout the summer months that are conducive to thunderstorms and lightning, I encourage residents to take every precaution during a thunderstorm,” Mangano said.

Lightning safety tips include:

Get inside a building or a hard-topped automobile. Wear rubber-soled shoes. Avoid contact with corded phones. Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives. Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands; do not take a shower; do not wash dishes; and do not do laundry. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls.

 If a person is struck by lightning:

Call 911 for medical assistance as soon as possible. Breathing — if breathing has stopped, begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Heartbeat — if the heart has stopped, administer CPR. Pulse — if the victim has a pulse and is breathing, check for other possible injuries including where the lightning entered the body.  Also be alert for nervous system damage, broken bones and loss of hearing and/or eyesight.

For more information on lightning safety, please visit: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov .

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Lightning Strikes, Strike Back by Being Prepared. | Foremost Blog

I remember the stories my Dad told me when I was younger about how dangerous lightning was.  He was a school counselor and some of his students had sustained major injuries from being hit by lightning.  So, needless to say, you don’t have to tell me twice to stay indoors during a storm.  But, I fear many people don’t take a thunderstorm as seriously as me.

“When Thunder Roars, Stay Indoors,” is the theme for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) national lightning safety awareness week June 19-25, 2011.  Yes, there is a lion on the promotions, but I say whatever it takes to get this important message across.  In the United States, an average of 55 people a year are killed by lightning.  Many more are injured.  To date there has already been five deaths associated with lightning in 2011.

Hundreds of people are  permanently injured each year.  People struck by lightning suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms, including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression, and more.

The NOAA provides some helpful tips for lightning safety awareness:

NO PLACE outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area!! If you are caught outside with no safe shelter, check out this NOAA link to reduce your risk:  Lightning, What you need to know. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. When you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter. Safe shelter is a substantial building or inside an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle. Stay in safe shelter at least 30 minutes after you hear the last clap of thunder.

Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets. It’s also not recommended to take a bath or shower during any part of the storm. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors, lean against concrete wall or stand on bare concrete.

Remember; If someone is struck by lightning, monitor the victim and begin CPR or AED, if necessary.  Call 911 for help and don’t try to move the victim if a spinal injury is suspected.  Victims do not carry an electrical charge and may need immediate medical attention.

RT : Safety Awareness Week continues with these tips for staying safe indoors:http://t.co/WO8y2Qy

RT : Safety Awareness Week continues with these tips for staying safe indoors:http://t.co/WO8y2Qy

Safety Awareness Week continues with these tips for staying safe indoors:http://t.co/WO8y2Qy

RT : There is no such thing as being too prepared! Some tips for Lightning Safety Week:

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