Top 10 Most Effective Ways to Prevent Lightning Strikes

During thunderstorms, using landline phones can be very dangerous. Lightning can travel through the electrical wiring, phone cables, and spread over long distances. It is best to disconnect electrical devices and unplug cords and chargers to avoid lightning strikes through these paths. While water pipes are often made of plastic, some are made of copper, so bathing during a thunderstorm is not a good idea. You may accidentally become a target for lightning.

Metal objects such as shovels, hoes, hammers, or sickles have high conductivity, so when it is raining or storming, never use or stand near them in the working area. Instead, find a safe place to take shelter from the rain and avoid lightning; avoid places with metal roofs, areas with a lot of iron and steel, or wet spots. Also, during thunderstorms, do not use or stay near mobile devices or appliances that can conduct electricity and be deadly.

Lightning during storms is unpredictable, but you can still take precautions to prevent accidents and damage to your electrical appliances. If you're at home during a storm, make sure to unplug all electrical devices. This will help prevent fires, short circuits, or electrical malfunctions that could damage your appliances. Never touch electrical devices with wet hands or when walking barefoot on damp floors. Storms also bring lightning, which is the leading cause of fast damage to household electrical devices, sometimes irreparably.

To prevent lightning strikes, you should ground household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, TVs, and water heaters. You can also use lightning protection devices to safeguard your appliances and the lives of your family members. As soon as a storm begins, quickly unplug all devices, including TV antennas and other electronics. If there are any issues with the power grid, the safest solution is to turn off the circuit breakers to ensure there is no risk of electrocution or fire during lightning strikes that could endanger your safety and property.

During thunderstorms, lightning and thunder are common natural phenomena. Lightning occurs when there is an electrical discharge between clouds and the ground or between clouds with opposite charges. It can strike any object or location where the necessary conditions are met. Lightning moves at incredible speeds of 36,000 km/h and can affect areas up to 8 kilometers away, with temperatures reaching 27,700°C (five times hotter than the surface of the Sun), potentially causing death, injury, or property damage. Lightning can occur before, during, or even after the storm. Every year, about 250,000 people are struck by lightning worldwide, and tens of thousands die from it, while many survivors suffer serious health issues.

Trees are the most likely target for lightning strikes, so never take shelter under them during a thunderstorm. If you are surrounded by tall trees, seek shelter under shorter ones. Avoid standing in high places such as rooftops or towers, as lightning tends to strike higher points first. During storms, clouds near the ground often carry a negative charge, while the ground is positively charged, creating a large potential difference. High ground features like hills or treetops are where electrical charges concentrate, making them more likely to attract lightning. To stay safe, do not stand on elevated ground or shelter under trees—it's safer to lie flat on the ground.

Lightning is a natural phenomenon that often occurs before, during, or after a storm. It can strike anywhere, hitting objects when an electrical discharge occurs between clouds and the ground or between oppositely charged clouds. As the rainy season approaches, everyone needs to be aware of safety guidelines to reduce the risk of being struck by lightning. In addition to metal, water is also an excellent conductor of lightning. Therefore, never stand in wet areas or swim during a thunderstorm. If you’re swimming when lightning strikes, the risk to your life is much higher than usual because water amplifies the electrical current.

When lightning strikes a home, it can travel through plumbing systems, electrical wires, or telephone lines, especially if the strike is near the house. It’s difficult to predict how far lightning can travel, but it’s been recorded to go as far as 1.8-3 km outside a building. Inside a house, direct lightning strikes causing damage are rare, although lightning can still travel through external wires or pipes. The danger is dependent on factors like the strength of the lightning, soil moisture, and other environmental conditions. If lightning enters the house through water pipes and you touch the water, you could be struck by lightning as well.

In Vietnam, lightning is most common during summer thunderstorms. According to research by the Institute of Geophysics, Vietnam lies at the center of the Asian thunderstorm belt, one of the three largest thunderstorm zones in the world, with frequent lightning activity. The thunderstorm season in Vietnam is long, with an average of 100 thunderstorm days per year and 250 hours of thunderstorms annually. Every year, Vietnam experiences around two million lightning strikes. The frequency of lightning is higher in mountainous areas, the northern foothills, and the southern plains. In mountainous regions, although lightning occurs more often, it is less dangerous because there are many large trees that act as good conductors. However, in the foothills and plains, where there are fewer trees, both people and animals are at higher risk of being struck by lightning.

If you're outdoors and unable to find shelter, stay away from tall trees, avoid standing at the top of hills, and keep clear of open fields. Also, discard any metal items on your person, and do not stand or sit near power poles or power lines as these are also prone to lightning strikes and the danger of falling wires. Especially during rain, many people have the habit of carrying umbrellas, unaware that this can be extremely dangerous in stormy conditions with thunder and lightning. Using an umbrella in high terrain areas increases the risk of a fatal strike. If you notice a storm approaching, it’s safer to find shelter instead of using an umbrella for protection.

Did you know that a kite was an essential tool used by scientist Benjamin Franklin in his famous experiment that led to the invention of the lightning rod? He flew a kite during a thunderstorm to make this groundbreaking discovery, but not everyone is lucky enough to survive such a daring act. Scientists warn that flying a kite during a storm is incredibly dangerous because kites can attract lightning, which can strike with deadly force. Furthermore, to make the kite fly high, it’s often launched in open fields – the perfect target for a lightning strike.

One important rule that experienced kite flyers always remember is to never fly a kite when a storm is about to hit. In reality, many kite enthusiasts try to take advantage of strong winds just before a storm to launch their kites high into the air. What they don’t realize is that lightning carries an enormous amount of electricity, far stronger than any electrical current, and it can strike both the kite and the person flying it. Scientists caution that flying a kite in these conditions is essentially turning yourself into a lightning rod, endangering not only your life but also the lives of those around you.

As urban areas grow more compact due to increasing populations, the trend of building taller structures continues to rise. Tall buildings are more prone to lightning strikes, making the installation of lightning protection systems and lightning rods essential to safeguard both property and lives. Lightning is a natural phenomenon that often occurs during thunderstorms, causing significant damage to property and posing a threat to human lives. Therefore, installing lightning protection systems for homes, apartment buildings, offices, and factories is crucial.

Lightning protection devices are specialized systems made from materials designed to prevent and mitigate the effects of lightning strikes. Without such systems, buildings and structures can be severely damaged by lightning. The electrical energy from a lightning strike can travel through conductive materials like water pipes, electrical wiring, and electronic devices, destroying them, causing fires or explosions. A comprehensive lightning protection system generally consists of three main components: the lightning rod, the conductive wiring, and the grounding system.

Lightning is an unpredictable extreme weather phenomenon and there is no completely safe place to avoid it. However, scientists recommend taking proactive measures to find safe shelters and avoid lightning, especially during thunderstorms or the rainy season, as it can significantly reduce the chances of being struck and help prevent serious health injuries. The first step in protecting yourself from lightning is staying informed about the weather.

Checking the weather forecast is the most effective way to avoid lightning strikes. By keeping track of weather conditions, you can plan your day more effectively, avoiding going outside during thunderstorms and rainstorms. Before heading out or planning to visit a location, take a moment to check the weather forecast. Thanks to modern technology and the internet, keeping up with daily weather updates has never been easier.

In Vietnam, lightning often strikes during summer thunderstorms. According to research by the Institute of Geophysics, Vietnam is located at the center of the Asian thunderstorm zone—one of the three most active lightning areas in the world. The thunderstorm season in Vietnam is relatively long, with an average of 100 thunderstorm days per year and 250 hours of thunderstorms annually. Vietnam experiences up to two million lightning strikes each year. The frequency of lightning is higher in mountainous areas, the northern midlands, and the Mekong Delta. In the mountains, although lightning occurs more frequently, it is less dangerous due to the presence of large trees that act as good conductors. In contrast, the midlands and the delta region have fewer trees, which increases the risk of lightning strikes to people and animals.

If you're outdoors and notice unusual weather signs such as strong winds, the sun suddenly disappearing, or ominous dark clouds, you should immediately seek shelter. The safest places to avoid lightning are at home or in a workplace, as these locations usually have lightning rods installed. In an emergency where no shelter is available, seek refuge in the nearest ditch or trench. If there’s no other option, you can take shelter in a bus or car, as these vehicles provide excellent protection from lightning. Be sure to close all doors and windows and never stick your head or limbs outside the vehicle.

Statistics show that direct lightning strikes are the most dangerous, with 8 out of 10 people struck directly by lightning dying. Even lightning that strikes nearby or travels along a surface is still highly hazardous. For instance, when lightning hits a tree, it can instantly kill several people nearby. The danger depends on the object struck by the lightning and the victim's position relative to the strike. The effects of step voltage (the potential difference between two points) tend to be less severe but can still cause temporary paralysis or even long-term mobility issues in some cases. Typically, step voltage causes short-term effects and rarely results in permanent damage. Lightning can also travel through electrical systems, such as when a person is talking on the phone or holding cables that connect to the outside.

If your sitting posture during a lightning storm is incorrect, you may be at risk of further injury. If your hair or arm hairs stand up, it's a clear sign that you are being electrically charged and may be struck by lightning. In this case, you should immediately take precautions such as: never lie on the ground, keep your feet on the ground, sit down quickly, crouch as low as possible to minimize your body’s exposure, bring your feet together, and cover your ears with your hands. After 30 minutes, once the storm has passed, you can resume normal activities. One important point to note is that during a thunderstorm, avoid gathering in groups, as this increases the risk of multiple people being struck.