Lightning occurs when air becomes charged with electricity during a thunderstorm. Bolts of lightning strike the ground at approximately 40,000 km per second! Though it appears that the lightning is a single bolt with a few forks, the opposite is true. The main bolt is actually many series of lightning strikes which all follow the same path. The human eye is unable to distinguish the separate bolts because of the speed of the strikes.

During a lightning storm, it is important to stay indoors. Keep away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes and sinks and other electrical conductors. Unplug electrical appliances and do not use a telephone or other electrical equipment.

If you find yourself outside during an electrical storm, seek shelter in a building, cave, or depressed area. If you are caught in the open, crouch down low with feet close together and your head down (leap frog position). Do not lay flat - this will help to minimize contact with the ground and reduce the risk of electrocution from a ground charge. Stay away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops.

Note: To estimate how far away lightning is, count the seconds between the flash of lightning and thunderclap. The sound created by a lightning bolt travels at approximately 300 metres a second. If your count is less than five seconds, take shelter immediately.