Indoor lightning safety

June 25, 3:30 PMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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The number one lightning safety rule: When thunder roars - Go
indoors!  However, even inside lightning can be dangerous.

Statistics tell us that we are much less likely to become a lightning victim if we remain inside a substantial structure such as a home or office building when thunderstorms are nearby. Most people struck by lightning are in open areas such as ball fields, parks, golf courses or out on water while others are struck when near some type of machinery. However, a small percentage of people are killed or injured by lightning even though they are indoors so it is important to discuss indoor lightning safety.

A house or other substantial building offers the best protection from lightning. Metal gutters and downspouts, electrical wiring, plumbing and telephone lines all act as conductors to help ground the lightning strike. Many small open shelters on athletic fields, golf courses, parks, roadside picnic areas, schoolyards and elsewhere are designed to protect people from rain and sun, but not lightning. Small wood, vinyl or metal sheds should be avoided during thunderstorms.

Lightning typically enters homes and buildings via either a direct strike through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure, through the ground or through an open door or window. Once in a structure, lightning can travel through the electrical, phone and plumbing systems and through metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring.

Phone use is the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries in the United States. This applies mainly to corded phones or those in contact with the base unit of a cordless phone. People have also been injured near radios and televisions which connect to an antenna system. Windows and doors provide a path for a direct strike to enter a home so stay away from these locations during thunderstorms and make sure that windows and doors are closed.

It is best to avoid washers and dryers because they connect with plumbing and electrical systems in your home. Bathtubs and shower stalls should be avoided when lightning is nearby. Last year, a teenage girl was injured while taking a shower when lightning struck close to her home near Topeka, Kansas. Basements are generally a safe place during thunderstorms but avoid direct contact with concrete walls because they often contain metal reinforcing bars.

Lightning can cause significant damage to personal property each year through either a direct strike or electrical surges. Unplug appliances or electronic equipment well before a thunderstorm threatens. Disconnect televisions or radios from outdoor antennas. If you plan to be away from your home when thunderstorms are possible, unplug unneeded equipment before you leave.

Here is a summary of lightning safety tips for inside the home:
1. Avoid contact with corded phones, electrical equipment and plumbing.
2. Avoid contact with water such as taking a shower or doing laundry.
3. Stay away from windows, doors and porches.
4. Do not lie on concrete floors or lean against concrete walls.

To help raise awareness of the danger lightning and wildland fires present to life and property in Colorado, as is customary, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has proclaimed this week Colorado Lightning Safety and Wildfire Awareness Week. 

Examiner.com will be posting the daily informational stories from the National Weather Service this week that discuss the issues these hazards present.  We also highly recommend everyone view our article, Severe Weather 101 - Lightning, which contains valuable information for everyone.