PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT   
   NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR   
   600 AM CDT TUE JUN 23 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 second of five public information statements to be issued   
   by the National Weather Service office in Little Rock   
   containing details about lightning.   
      
   Today`s topic is LIGHTNING`S MOST DEADLY ACTIVITIES.   
      
   If you are outside when a thunderstorm is in the area,   
   you are at risk of being struck by lightning. However, there   
   are activities that lead to more lightning deaths and   
   injuries than others.   
      
   From 2006 to 2013, a detailed study showed that leisure   
   activities led to almost two thirds of the lightning fatalities   
   in the United States. A common myth is that golf is the most   
   dangerous activity outdoors. In reality, water-related activities   
   are much more dangerous. Fishermen accounted for more than three   
   times as many fatalities as golfers, while camping and boating   
   each accounted for almost twice as many deaths as golf.   
      
   Breaking it down, the study revealed that lightning was   
   responsible for 30 fishing deaths, 16 camping deaths, 14 boating   
   deaths, and 13 beach deaths. Of the sports activities, soccer   
   was the deadliest with 12 fatalities as compared to golf with 8.   
      
   In most cases, victims simply waited too long before starting   
   to seek shelter. Continued efforts are needed to convince people   
   to get inside a safe place before the lightning threat becomes   
   significant.   
      
   When it comes to water-related activities, there are   
   a couple of important things to remember...   
      
    * Always have a plan so that you can get to a safe   
      place before the storm arrives.   
      
    * Head to that safe place immediately if you notice any   
      signs of a developing or approaching thunderstorm.   
      Don`t hesitate.   
      
   Question: If water activities are so dangerous,   
   why don`t all the fish in a pond or lake get killed when   
   lightning strikes the water?   
      
   Answer: Most of the discharge occurs along the surface of   
   the water. Since most fish are well below the water surface,   
   they are safe. People are not as safe because they swim   
   closer to the surface.   
      
   Here`s a list of topics that will be covered later this   
   week:   
      
   WEDNESDAY  Lightning Safety and Sports Activities   
   THURSDAY  Lightning Safety at Work   
   FRIDAY - Lightning Safety Around the Home   
      
      
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