PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT   
   NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR   
   600 AM CDT MON JUN 22 2015   
      
   ...LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK...   
      
   The National Weather Service has declared the week of June    
   21st through the 27th as LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK. This    
   is the first of five public information statements to be issued    
   by the National Weather Service office in Little Rock   
   containing information about lightning.   
      
   Today's topic is LIGHTNING AND LIGHTNING SAFETY.   
      
   In the United States, there are about 23 million cloud to ground    
   lightning flashes each year. While lightning can be fascinating to    
   watch, it is also extremely dangerous. Each one of those 23 million    
   flashes is a potential killer. Based on data for the last 30 years    
   (1985 to 2014), lightning killed close to 1500 people in the    
   United States, an average of about 50 people per year. During the    
   same period, lightning injured an estimated 15000 people, and    
   left some with life-long neurological damage.   
      
   In addition to the deaths and injuries, lightning causes    
   considerable damage across the nation. Each year, lightning   
   triggers about 25000 fires, including roughly 4400 house    
   fires, 1800 other structural fires, and numerous forest fires.    
   Adding it all up, lightning causes nearly $1 billion in damage    
   annually.    
      
   There is little you can do to substantially reduce your risk if    
   you are outside in a thunderstorm. The only completely safe action    
   is to get inside a building or vehicle with the windows rolled up.   
      
   If you absolutely cannot get to safety, you can slightly lessen    
   the threat of being struck with the following tips:   
      
   - Avoid open fields, the top of a hill or a ridge top.   
      
   - Stay away from tall, isolated trees or other tall objects. If you    
     are in a forest, stay near a lower stand of trees.    
      
   - If you are camping in an open area, set up camp in a valley,    
     ravine or other low area. Remember, a tent offers NO protection    
     from lighting.    
      
   - Stay away from water, wet items such as ropes, and metal objects    
     such as fences and poles. Water and metal do not attract lightning    
     but they are excellent conductors of electricity.   
      
   During the next several days, we will provide additional    
   information on lightning and lightning safety. Here is a list of    
   topics we will cover:   
      
   TUESDAY - Lightning's Most Deadly Activities   
   WEDNESDAY - Lightning Safety and Sports Activities   
   THURSDAY - Lightning Safety at Work   
   FRIDAY - Lightning Safety Around the Home   
      
   &&   
      
      
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