Summer Solstice Health Preservation: How to Prevent Lightning Strikes in Midsummer
From June to September each year is the annual thunderstorm season, during which lightning strike incidents occur. The reasons for being struck by lightning are, first, the suddenness of a lightning strike, which makes it difficult to guard against; and second, people's lack of lightning protection knowledge, which prevents them from taking active measures to prevent lightning strikes. Therefore, mastering some knowledge about lightning and lightning protection is very necessary to prevent and reduce lightning strike accidents.
In midsummer, due to the strong heating of the ground, air convection is enhanced and charges of different properties are generated. Especially after a thundercloud forms, there are electric fields everywhere between the various parts of the cloud and between the cloud and the ground. On average, the electric field strength in the cloud can reach several thousand to over ten thousand volts per centimeter. When a large potential difference appears within the cloud, different forms of lightning will occur; during the discharge process, the air temperature rises sharply, the water droplets in the cloud vaporize rapidly, and the volume expands suddenly, producing thunder. According to statistics, the energy of each lightning strike is at least 2,000 kilowatt-hours. In the discharge area, the current can be as high as several hundred kiloamperes, and the voltage can be several million volts. If it touches trees or buildings, they will be struck down; if it touches humans or animals, they will be electrocuted or burned to death, causing disaster. However, the severity of harm from lightning strikes varies greatly; some are fatal, some cause disability, some are unharmed, and some, even with diseases like blindness, recover to normal after being struck. This is mainly due to the difference in the size of the current passing through the body caused by different forms of lightning strikes.
Therefore, when encountering thunder and lightning, you should pay attention to the following points:
1. If you happen to be at home during a strong thunderstorm, it is advisable not to go out. Do not use radios and televisions with external antennas, and do not make phone calls.
2. If you are in the wild, you should immediately seek shelter. Buildings with lightning rods, steel frames, or reinforced concrete can be used as lightning protection shelters. Vehicles with complete metal bodies can also be utilized.
3. When there is no shelter, never approach isolated trees in open areas or on mountaintops, as these are the most vulnerable to lightning strikes. Do not stay in open water or on small boats; try to avoid the edges of high forests, the vicinity of wires, flagpoles, and tall objects without lightning protection equipment such as haystacks and tents. Do not approach railway tracks, long metal railings, and other large metal objects. Do not stay on mountaintops or other high points.
4. During a thunderstorm, it is best not to ride horses, bicycles, or motorcycles; do not carry metal objects in the open; in an open field, do not make yourself a sharp point; do not approach any part of lightning protection equipment.
5. If you cannot find a suitable lightning shelter, you should try to lower your center of gravity and reduce the contact area between your body and the ground. You can squat, with feet together, hands on your knees, and body leaning forward. Never lie on the ground, in a trench, or in a pit. If you can wear a raincoat, the lightning protection effect will be even better. In a group of people in the wild, whether moving or stationary, you should maintain a distance of several meters and not crowd together. You can also hide in a large cave.
6. Pay attention when your hair stands on end or your skin tingles, as a lightning strike may be about to occur. You should immediately lie on the ground. A person struck by lightning may be burned or in severe shock, but their body is not electrically charged, so they can be safely rescued.
7. During a strong thunderstorm, do not use your phone!
What are the key points of personal lightning protection?
1. You should stay indoors and close doors and windows; people working outdoors should seek shelter in a building.
2. Avoid using electrical appliances such as televisions and audio systems without or with insufficient lightning protection measures. Do not use faucets.
3. Do not touch antennas, water pipes, wire mesh, metal doors and windows, or the outer walls of buildings. Stay away from live electrical equipment such as wires or other similar metal devices.
4. Reduce the use of landline and mobile phones.
5. Do not swim or engage in other water sports. It is not advisable to play outdoor ball games. Leave water and other open areas and find a place to take shelter.
6. Do not stand on mountaintops, rooftops, or near other highly conductive objects.
7. Do not handle flammable substances in open containers.
8. When in the open and unable to take shelter in a building with lightning protection measures, stay away from trees and masts.
9. In an open area, it is not advisable to hold an umbrella, and it is not advisable to carry badminton rackets, golf clubs, etc., on your shoulder.
10. It is not advisable to ride a motorcycle or a bicycle.