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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