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June 17, 2016 Patti
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IEMA Cautions “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors”
Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 19-25
SPRINGFIELD – “When thunder roars, go indoors” is more
than a catchy phrase about lightning safety. It’s a reminder that you’re at
risk of being struck by lightning if you’re outdoors and can hear thunder.
That’s the message the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the
National Weather Service (NWS) and local emergency management agencies will
promote during Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 19-25.
“We all enjoy being outdoors on beautiful summer
days,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “But don’t push your luck when
thunderstorms are in the area. There’s absolutely no picnic, golf game or other
outdoor activity that’s worth risking your life.”
Joseph added it’s important to remain inside a
substantial building or hard-topped vehicle for 30 minutes after the last sound
of thunder.
According to the NWS, there were no
lightning-related fatalities in Illinois in 2015. Nationwide, 27 people were
killed by lightning. The fatalities occurred while people were fishing,
working, walking, camping, riding motorcycles, under or near trees, or participating
in other outdoor activities.
“To
date, all of the lightning fatalities in the U.S. have occurred outdoors,” said
Heather Stanley, meteorologist with the NWS office in Lincoln. “Checking the
weather forecast should be a step in planning any outdoor activity. But
most importantly, don’t hesitate to act if you hear thunder. No place is safe
outside in a thunderstorm.”
While
fewer than 10 percent of people who are struck by lightning are killed, many
lightning strike survivors suffer various degrees of disability. Only a few
lightning strike victims actually suffer burns, and these are usually minor.
However, many lightning strike survivors are left with debilitating life-long
effects, including memory loss, personality changes, fatigue, irreparable nerve
damage, chronic pain and/or headaches, difficulty sleeping and dizziness.
-more-
People shouldn’t hesitate to help someone who has been
struck by lightning since victims do not carry an electrical charge. The surge
of electricity through a lightning victim’s body causes cardiac arrest in most
fatalities, so immediate medical attention is critical. If the victim doesn’t
have a pulse and isn’t breathing, CPR should be administered immediately.
For additional tips
on lightning safety visit the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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