In honor of Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June 22-28th, 2025)
Here at Skytree Scientific, we are often captivated by the cutting edge-the promise of AI in safeguarding critical infrastructure and revolutionizing lightning protection for complex facilities. It’s exhilarating work, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with advanced algorithms and complex calculations.
Yet amidst all this sophisticated technology, there’s a fundamental truth about lightning itself: it remains an awe-inspiring display of nature’s raw power, still holding many scientific mysteries. Our deepest commitment is ensuring that you know how to stay safe when lightning strikes. Because no matter how advanced our technology becomes, your well-being remains paramount.
Let’s discuss lightning safety-practical, actionable advice that can truly make a difference when the skies turn violent.
The Golden Rule: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!
The absolute best defense against lightning is to avoid it entirely. The moment thunder is detected, lightning is close enough to strike. This simple rule can save your life.
What You SHOULD Do for Lightning Safety
- Seek sturdy indoor shelter immediately. A substantial building with wiring and plumbing is the safest location-your home, office, or any large public structure with electrical and plumbing systems.
- Enter a hard-topped vehicle. If a sturdy building is unavailable, a fully enclosed, hard-topped vehicle (car, truck, van) offers significant protection. Stay inside with windows closed. The metallic frame directs electrical current around occupants and safely to the ground.
- Stay away from windows and doors. Even inside structures, lightning can strike through these openings or cause dangerous side flashes.
- Avoid plumbing and electrical equipment. Don’t bathe, shower, wash dishes, or use corded electronic devices during a thunderstorm. Lightning can travel through pipes and electrical systems.
- Wait 30 minutes after the last thunder. Don’t venture outdoors until at least 30 minutes have passed since you last heard thunder. Many injuries occur when people think the storm has passed.
Critical Actions to Avoid
- DON’T seek shelter under trees. Trees are frequently struck by lightning, and strikes can transfer to people sheltering beneath them.
- DON’T lie flat on the ground. This increases your contact with the ground and exposes you to dangerous ground current. If caught outdoors without shelter, crouch low with feet together and hands over ears.
- DON’T approach tall objects. Stay away from tall trees, utility poles, communication towers, or anything that extends high into the sky.
- DON’T use phones outdoors during storms. While modern cell phones are generally safe, restrict usage to indoor environments during active thunderstorms.
- DON’T engage in water activities. Exit pools, lakes, and oceans immediately. Water conducts electricity extremely well.
If Someone Gets Struck: Emergency Response
A lightning strike is a medical emergency requiring immediate action. Quick response can save a life.
Critical fact: Lightning strike victims do NOT carry an electrical charge and are completely safe to touch. Focus on getting them help as quickly as possible.
- Call 911 immediately. Provide your exact location and incident details.
- Assess the victim:
- Check for responsiveness by gently tapping and shouting
- Look for breathing and check for a pulse
- Begin CPR if necessary. Lightning can cause cardiac and respiratory arrest. If the victim isn’t breathing and has no pulse, start CPR immediately and continue until EMS arrives. Dispatchers can guide you through CPR if you’re untrained.
- Check for injuries:
- Look for burns, especially entry and exit points
- Watch for Lichtenberg figures (tree-like patterns on skin)
- Be aware of possible fractures, hearing, or vision damage
- Move to safety if needed. Only if lightning danger continues and it’s safe for you, move the victim to shelter.
- Provide basic first aid. Keep the victim warm and comfortable while waiting for emergency services.
Remember: every second counts. Your quick response can make the difference between life and death.
Lightning's Impact: The Sobering Reality
While lightning’s spectacle can be mesmerizing, its real-world impact is sobering. Globally, lightning causes an estimated 6,000 to 24,000 fatalities and up to 240,000 injuries annually-numbers that underscore this often underestimated natural hazard.
In the United States, dedicated safety efforts have reduced average annual lightning deaths from around 55 in the early 2000s to approximately 21-23 deaths in recent years. However, this progress shouldn’t breed complacency. Most U.S. lightning fatalities occur during outdoor leisure activities-fishing, beach activities, boating, and camping top the list.
Perhaps most concerning: while about 90% of lightning strike victims survive, many face severe, long-term health consequences including neurological damage, chronic pain, memory issues, and personality changes. Even a “non-fatal” strike can drastically alter someone’s life, making awareness and prevention absolutely critical.
Our Commitment
At Skytree Scientific, we’re committed to leveraging advanced technology for a safer world. But behind every algorithm and protection system is something irreplaceable-human life.
Stay informed, prioritize safety, and remember: you are the most valuable thing you’ll ever protect.
For more information about lightning protection technology and risk assessment solutions, visit SkytreeScientific.ai
