Staying Safe During a Lightning Storm
2020-07-13
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1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle Report.
2Lightning is one of the most powerful weather forces to hit Earth.
3These huge bolts of electricity that strike during storms can cause destruction and death.
4Lightning can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter than the surface of the sun.
5Lightning is very common.
6It is estimated that every second, about 100 lightning strikes hit the surface of the Earth.
7Experts at the website WeatherSTEM did the math and say this adds up to about 8 million strikes per day, and 3 billion hits each year!
8In some parts of the world, for example India, summer lightning storms are very common.
9As the rainy season begins there, storms often cover most of the country's northern area.
10This is when lightning and thunderstorms happen most.
11Lightning can be deadly.
12It is difficult to keep exact records on how many people die from lightning each year throughout the world.
13Some experts estimate that about 2,000 people die each year from lightning.
14Others say the number could be as high as 24,000.
15The last week in June, Reuters news agency reported lightning strikes killed more than 100 people in two areas of India.
16Later in this program, we will give you some tips on helping a lightning strike victim.
17But first, experts at the weather.gov website, give tips on staying safe if lightning comes your way.
18If you are outside, experts say you should take cover, which means finding a safe shelter for protection.
19During a lightning storm, no place outside is safe.
20If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you.
21Most lightning victims are in open areas or near a tree
22When you hear thunder, experts say, immediately try to move to safe shelter.
23Look for a strong, established building "with plumbing and electrical wiring."
24If lightning strikes this kind of building, the experts say, the plumbing and wiring will conduct the electricity better than the human body.
25If such a building is not available, you can also seek shelter inside "an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle" with all the windows shut.
26You should stay in the safe shelter for at least 30 minutes after the last sounds of thunder are heard.
27If you are outside during a lightning storm and there is no safe shelter, these actions may reduce your risk:
28Immediately leave high land areas, such as hills or mountains.
29Never lie flat on the ground.
30Never shelter under a tree sitting in the open.
31Immediately get out of any bodies of water and stay away from those areas.
32Stay away from objects that can conduct electricity, such as wire fences, tall structures, power lines or windmills.
33If you are indoors during a lightning storm, you could still be in danger. Again, weather.gov provides these tips.
34Stay off wired phones, computers and other equipment that can put you in direct contact with electricity.
35Avoid any areas with running water.
36Remain indoors but stay away from windows and doors.
37Do not lie on concrete floors or touch concrete walls.
38Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that helping lightning strike victims can save their lives.
39It is safe to touch a lightning strike victim. People struck by lightning DO NOT carry a charge.
40The CDC says to follow these four steps immediately to help a lightning strike victim:
41Call for professional help immediately.
42It is safe to use a cell phone during a storm.
43Lightning may continue to be a danger.
44If necessary, move the victim to a safer location.
45However, do not move victims who are bleeding or appear to have broken bones.
46Lightning often causes a heart attack. Check to see if the victim is breathing and has a heartbeat.
47Lightning may also cause other injuries such as burns, shock, and sometimes physical damage to the body.
48If the victim is not breathing, immediately begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
49If the victim does not have a pulse, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.
50Continue this until help arrives.
51Try to keep the victim warm to prevent hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature.
52And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo.
1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle Report. 2Lightning is one of the most powerful weather forces to hit Earth. These huge bolts of electricity that strike during storms can cause destruction and death. Lightning can heat the air around it to temperatures five times hotter than the surface of the sun. 3Lightning is very common. It is estimated that every second, about 100 lightning strikes hit the surface of the Earth. Experts at the website WeatherSTEM did the math and say this adds up to about 8 million strikes per day, and 3 billion hits each year! 4In some parts of the world, for example India, summer lightning storms are very common. As the rainy season begins there, storms often cover most of the country's northern area. This is when lightning and thunderstorms happen most. 5Lightning can be deadly. It is difficult to keep exact records on how many people die from lightning each year throughout the world. Some experts estimate that about 2,000 people die each year from lightning. Others say the number could be as high as 24,000. 6The last week in June, Reuters news agency reported lightning strikes killed more than 100 people in two areas of India. 7How to stay safe 8Later in this program, we will give you some tips on helping a lightning strike victim. But first, experts at the weather.gov website, give tips on staying safe if lightning comes your way. 9Outdoor lightning storm 10If you are outside, experts say you should take cover, which means finding a safe shelter for protection. During a lightning storm, no place outside is safe. If you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to strike you. Most lightning victims are in open areas or near a tree 11When you hear thunder, experts say, immediately try to move to safe shelter. Look for a strong, established building "with plumbing and electrical wiring." If lightning strikes this kind of building, the experts say, the plumbing and wiring will conduct the electricity better than the human body. 12If such a building is not available, you can also seek shelter inside "an enclosed, metal-topped vehicle" with all the windows shut. You should stay in the safe shelter for at least 30 minutes after the last sounds of thunder are heard. 13Nowhere to hide 14If you are outside during a lightning storm and there is no safe shelter, these actions may reduce your risk: 15Immediately leave high land areas, such as hills or mountains. 16Never lie flat on the ground. 17Never shelter under a tree sitting in the open. 18Immediately get out of any bodies of water and stay away from those areas. 19Stay away from objects that can conduct electricity, such as wire fences, tall structures, power lines or windmills. 20Indoor lightning storm 21If you are indoors during a lightning storm, you could still be in danger. Again, weather.gov provides these tips. 22Stay off wired phones, computers and other equipment that can put you in direct contact with electricity. 23Avoid any areas with running water. 24Remain indoors but stay away from windows and doors. 25Do not lie on concrete floors or touch concrete walls. 26Aid for a lightning strike 27Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that helping lightning strike victims can save their lives. It is safe to touch a lightning strike victim. People struck by lightning DO NOT carry a charge. 28The CDC says to follow these four steps immediately to help a lightning strike victim: 29Call for professional help immediately. It is safe to use a cell phone during a storm. 30Lightning may continue to be a danger. If necessary, move the victim to a safer location. However, do not move victims who are bleeding or appear to have broken bones. 31Lightning often causes a heart attack. Check to see if the victim is breathing and has a heartbeat. Lightning may also cause other injuries such as burns, shock, and sometimes physical damage to the body. 32If the victim is not breathing, immediately begin mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. If the victim does not have a pulse, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR. Continue this until help arrives. Try to keep the victim warm to prevent hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. 33And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo. 34________________________________________________________________ 35Words in This Story 36bolt - n. a stroke of lightning 37tip - n. a piece of useful or secret information 38concrete - n. a hard, strong material that is used for building and made by mixing cement, sand, and broken rocks with water 39plumbing - n. a system of pipes that carries water through a building 40conduct - v. to have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound, or electricity 41resuscitate - v. to bring (someone who is unconscious, not breathing, or close to death) back to a conscious or active state again 42pulse - n. the beat resulting from the regular widening of an artery in the body as blood flows through it 43cardiopulmonary compression - n. a procedure designed to restore normal breathing after cardiac arrest that includes the clearance of air passages to the lungs, mouth-to-mouth method of artificial respiration, and heart massage by the exertion of pressure on the chest : cardiopulmonary - adj. of or relating to the heart and lungs