Stay Safe When Lightning Strikes by ATC Bryan JOnes

When summer storms gather, is lightning safety one of your main concerns? If it’s not, it should be. Lightning is one of the top three causes of weather-related fatalities, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The MCG Sports Medicine Center offers the following tips on how to stay safe when lightning strikes.

· Before attending an outdoor event, check the weather 24 hours in advance.

· Identify a safe location, should you get caught in a storm. Safe places include buildings and fully enclosed vehicles with the windows completely shut. Unsafe places are golf carts, bleachers, high ground, open spaces, pools or other bodies of water, picnic shelters, and under or near trees.

· If you can see or hear lightning, don’t wait. Seek shelter immediately and stay inside until no thunder or lightning have been observed for at least 30 minutes. Don’t wait until it rains as lightning can strike before rain appears.

· If you are unable to seek shelter, find the lowest point possible and crouch down with feet together. Stay at least seven feet away from any tall structures such as trees or poles.

· If you are indoors, stay away from doors and windows, avoid using sinks and other water sources, and don’t make telephone calls. Remove headsets, and turn off, unplug and stay away from appliances. Lightning can strike exterior phone and electrical lines, causing shocks to inside equipment.

· If someone has been struck by lightning, it is safe to touch them as a lightning strike does not leave a residual charge. Call 911 immediately, and attempt CPR.

Lightning strikes occur most commonly in June, July and August, and between the hours of 2 to 6 p.m. By educating yourself and your loved ones about appropriate action during a lightning storm, you can help protect yourselves from risk of injury, even death.

MCG Health System is composed of three separate organizations — MCG Health, Inc. and the clinical services offered by the faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the members of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation. The physicians of MCG Health System are community physicians, faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia, or employees of the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation, not employees of MCG Health, Inc. MCG Health, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation operating the MCG Medical Center, MCG Children’s Medical Center, the MCG Sports Medicine Center, MCG Ambulatory Care Center, the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center and related clinical facilities and services. MCG Health, Inc. was formed to support the research and education mission of the Medical College of Georgia and to build the economic growth of the CSRA, the state of Georgia and the Southeast by providing an environment for faculty employees of the Medical College of Georgia and the MCG Physicians Practice Group Foundation and community physicians to deliver the highest level of primary and specialty health care. For more information, please visit www.MCGHealth.org.


###