It’s the season for those thrilling tropical electrical storms and while nature’s light show in the sky is a sight to behold it can also be a dangerous one. Already this storm season one man has lost his life in Bali by lightning strike. Several lives are lost every year on the Island due to lightening strikes, and while this is not the top of the list on the accidental death statistics, it is worth while taking some precautions during a storm.
Take shelter
Get inside a building or you can take shelter in your car, the rubber tires of the vehicle somewhat insulate the vehicle from the ground, so the amount of induced current is far less, but remember — don’t touch the radio knobs, don’t touch the ignition, the steering wheels probably not a good thing to touch either. Unfortunately if you’ve got a soft-top you’re not so safe. The canvas does not conduct electricity and if it doesn’t conduct electricity it’s going to be concentrated in one spot and it’s going to burn right through. Don’t stand near a tree in a lightning storm. If the tree would get hit, the induced current in you would be so high that you would probably die. In addition, if a person is actually standing UNDER the branches of a tree (to stay out of the rain), an even worse danger is present. When the tree is hit by the lightning stroke, there is a LOT of electricity that is trying to find its way to the ground. If you (a bag of conductive salt-water) are standing under a big branch, near the trunk of the tree, it is possible that part of that 50,000 amperes of electricity will branch off and use YOU as a path to ground.
Crouch down
If you are in an open area with no shelter nearby the trick is to offer less of a target. Crouch down with your head as low as you can and then cover your ears. Covering your ears is important because if the lightning happens to strike close by the sound of the lightning could deafen you or permanently damage your hearing. Obviously try to avoid standing on wet land, which can be a bit of a problem in a storm. Don’t hold a golf club or umbrella up during an electrical storm. By holding a metal (conductive) object above your head, you are actually making for a better “transformer” and a perfect target!
Get off the phone
Surprisingly, each year hundreds of people worldwide are injured while using fixed telephones during lightning strikes. Most injuries are minor; however the victim can be left with crippling lifelong effects such as agonizing headaches, memory loss, chronic insomnia and dizziness. Phone lines are designed to carry electricity, but a lightning strike will cause a massive power surge to scream along those lines, through the cables that connect them to your home or office, through the wall socket and down the phone cable in a direct line to your brain. A cordless phone is okay to use because there’s no connecting line to the outside. However, if you’re going to use one in the middle of a thunderstorm, it’s best to stay away from the wall unit. Mobile phones are perfectly safe to use during a thunderstorm because there are no connecting wires.
Safety in the home
Get a grounding rod for your home. I am always perplexed why this feature seems to be absent on most buildings on the island, given the amount of storm activity that we have here. Water is a very good conductor of electricity. If you are working around the sink or around plumbing fixtures and lightning strikes your house, it could work its way through the plumbing, especially if you have metal pipes. Stay out of the shower when there’s lightning about. Any electrical appliance is a potential danger. Make sure you turn off and unplug:
• Your computer
• Your TV
• Hi-fi equipment
Stay away from water
Water is an excellent conductor of electricity so get away from it. There has been many a soccer team downed by lightening on a wet pitch; if the coach calls of the game or practice because of lightening, take his advice very seriously. Obviously stay out of the pool during a storm and make sure that your children are aware of the risks where ever they are.
Storms can hang around for a long time, so how long do we need to be cautious for in the event of an electrical storm?
It’s called the 30/30 rule. If there’s less than 30 seconds between the lightning and thunder, take cover and stay there for 30 minutes after the storm has passed. Come out too soon and you still risk a lightning strike.
Kim Patra is a qualified registered nurse and midwife who has been living and working in Bali for almost 20 years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail at info@chcbali.com or Hp. 081 2366 0000.
