LIGHTNING

Lightning is a summer danger; more than 80% of all lightning strikes take place in the three summer months. In Denmark, some 4-5 people a year get hit by lightning, of which one every other year on average dies. Those who are hit, but survive, tend to have injuries to the nervous system, problems with sleep or memory loss, and increased blood pressure.

The electric shock in lightning can be up to a billion volts, and the temperature up to 30,000 degrees (five times that of the sun). It's no joke.

There are a lot of myths associated with lightning, notably that it's best to be out in the open when it happens. Metal boxes, such as cars and aeroplanes, conduct the electricity away from passengers and so are safe; as do buildings with both a roof and walls. The worst places are to stand underneath a tree or be in water; 50% of victims are in these places, compared with just 2% who are indoors.

Be warned!

Walter Blotscher