Page 4 - PGA Community News - August '21

Page 4, PGA C.A.N.! August 2021 August 2021

Northern Notes

Lightning Facts And Safety 4. Stay away from electronics, windows and plumbing that
can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances before the storm.
By Katie Roundtree, Finance Out of 1,000 incidents, most occurred in (descending order):
Director, Northern Palm a. On the telephone
Beach County Improvement b. In the kitchen
District c. Doing laundry
Lightning is one of the d. Watching television
leading weather-related causes e. At a door or open window
of death and injury in the 5. If there is no building nearby, the next best thing to do
United States. Each year, there is to get inside a car or bus with a solid metal roof.
are about 25 million cloud-to- 6. If a car or building is not an option, seek lower elevation,
ground lightning flashes and get as low to the ground as you can without lying down and
about 300 people struck by stay away from bodies of water.
lightning. Florida is known Tree struck by lightning in preserve next to a house in PGA 7. Do not raise umbrellas or golf clubs above you.
as the lightning capital of the United States, with storms National In summary “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
occurring approximately 100 days out of the year. Although NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is not
our entire state rates as a high-risk area, the most dangerous Safety Tips And Guidelines: a garbage disposal – please don’t treat it like one. Encourage
areas are in Seminole and Orange counties, in the middle of 1. There is no safe place outside during a lightning storm. residents to take responsibility and to not dump chemicals,
the state. Florida ranks number one in the number of deaths If you are stuck outside during a storm, avoid standing around fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or pipes. Discourage sweeping
due to lightning, 94 percent of which occur between late trees, standing in open areas or laying flat on the ground. Get of lawn clippings and dirt into street drains and disposing of
May and end of September. On average, lightning kills more inside! lawn clippings and other debris (wood, concrete blocks, trees,
people in the United States than hurricanes or tornados. 2. Get inside a fully enclosed building, not a gazebo, hut etc.) directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities
Why Florida? Partially due to its high heat levels, or cabana. clear of vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded
high humidity, and location between the Gulf of Mexico 3. Remember the 30-30 rule: After you see lightning, start appliances, shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
and Atlantic Ocean: Rain clouds plus high heat equals counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go
thunderstorms and lightning! indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last Photo by Sam Payson, Northern biologist
Here are a few myths and facts about lightning: clap of thunder.
Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Fact: There is no scientific reason why lightning can’t
strike the same place twice. Lightning often strikes the same
place repeatedly. The Empire State Building is hit nearly 100
times a year.
Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds
overhead, you’re safe from lightning.
Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles Window Screens
from the center of the thunderstorm, far outside the
rainstorm cloud. “Bolts from the blue” can strike 10 to
15 miles from the thunderstorm. Sliding Screen Doors
Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning
by insulating you from the ground.
Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning; however, it Window Screens
is the metal roof and metal sides that protect you, not the
rubber tires. Family Owned & Operated Sliding Screen Doors
Myth: A lightning victim is electrified. If you touch Est. 2013
them, you will be electrocuted. 561-208-8474 We Measure, Sliding Door Rollers
Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It Make & Install
is perfectly safe to touch a lightning victim to give them curlytailscreens.com
first aid. For You!
Myth: If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek FREE $20 OFF
shelter under a tree to stay dry. Sliding Glass Door Wheel Replacement
Complimentary deep cleaning of door track included.
Fact: Standing underneath a tree is the second leading ESTIMATES Cannot be combined with other offers, coupon must be presented
cause of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than struck at time of estimate. Valid on (1) door only. Expires 9/15/21
by lightning!

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