Almost all of us have probably had some kind of encounter with lightning. At one time or another, we have ignored the danger of a storm to finish that last bit of gardening or putt on 18 e green. We tend to believe that the chances of lightning strikes we are small, but how foolish we can be. It is, in fact, the number two killer storm (after the flood) in the United States, causing more deaths than tornadoes and hurricanes.
cloud to ground lightning is extremely fast, hot and powerful. Lightning discharge occurs over the duration of 100 milliseconds, heating the air around it to 15,000 to 60,000 Fahrenheit and carrying a peak power up to 30,000 amps. Yet people are repeatedly prepared to accept the risk of coming into contact with something so deadly.
A 1997 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has analyzed 35 years of lighting injuries and mortality data in the US Some of the study of interesting conclusions:
- 84 percent of the injuries and deaths of the victims were men
- June, July and August accounted for 21 percent, 30 percent and 22 percent of incidents, respectively ..
- peak period for incidents was 14: 00-18: 00
- incidents were most common, Saturday, Wednesday and Sunday.
data analyzed by the National Lightning Safety Institute (NLSI) from 190 to 03 revealed that there were 756 deaths in the United States during this period. Florida, with 126 deaths, was the deadliest state by far, followed by Texas (52) and Colorado (39). Most Western states had high per-capita death rate, led by Wyoming to 2.02 deaths per million inhabitants.
What can we do to ourselves and our loved lightning protection? The NLSI offer some personal safety tips on its website. Of primary importance is planning our outdoor activities in time if we are not taken outside ignore. If you are outside with a thunderstorm, avoid lakes, open spaces and high ground. In addition, you should avoid contact with metal objects, including electrical wiring and fences. Maintain a distance of at least 15 feet between people. If you are indoors, stay away from doors and windows, water sources, electrical appliances, computers and landline phones.
When planning and participating in outdoor activities this summer, make sure you give Lightning the respect it deserves. Have you ever had an encounter with lightning?
0 Komentar