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Florida is recognized as the "lightning capital" with more lightning strikes than any other state.  According to the National AG Safety Database (NASD), Florida averages more than ten deaths and thirty injuries from lightning per year. According to Medscape, part of the WebMD Health Professional Network, the actual number is likely to be significantly higher "...because up to 50% may go unreported". About 50 percent of the deaths and injuries occur to individuals involved in recreational activities, and nearly 40 percent of those are water-related: boating, swimming, surfing and others.

Staying safe when lightning occurs takes planning and knowing the right things to do.  Being exposed outside is not safe. The National Weather Service recommends using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio (NWR). Having a portable weather radio available when involved in outdoor activities will increase the chances of not be surprised by the weather.  Professional lightning detection equipment will alert people when lightning is near. One should stay inside at least 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

When thunder is heard, or lightning seen, or dark clouds appear, take cover and not under trees.  Trees, often being the tallest objects, are natural lightning attractors.  Golfers should be particularly wary as golf clubs are made with steel shafts which pose special threats in a lightning storm. It is important to stay away from anything made of metal, which not only includes golf clubs, but golf carts. 

A day at the beach can suddenly turn dark as the Florida rain approaches.  This week three people were hit by a single bolt of lightning on Fort Myers Beach. One person died, and two teens were injured.  A 16 year old boy is still in the hospital, and it is reported he will be left with serious injuries. News media reports they were on their way to their car during the afternoon storm. 

If camping with family and friends, and a storm approaches, gathering in a tent is not the best choice even if a vehicle is a quarter mile away. The vehicle is always a better choice. It is also best when selecting camping gear to select plastic, not metal, poles for tents.

Outdoor sports teams need to take shelter when a storm approaches.  Dugouts are not appropriate shelter, but restrooms and vehicles are.  Sporting fields also should have professionally installed lightning alert systems.

Water is a natural conductor of electricity.  So it is not the place one wants to be in a lightning storm. Having the portable weather radio near when boating is a must.  The weather reports will give warning before a storm strikes so everyone can take appropriate shelter. Small boats with no cabins are dangerous in storms.  Boaters should drop anchor and get as low as possible in the boat.  Larger boats with cabins, according to the NWS, especially with lightning protection systems which are properly installed, or metal marine vessels are relatively safe.  NWS says, "Stay off the radio unless it is an emergency!"

Motorcyclists and bicyclists can be particularly vulnerable  They should carry portable weather radios.  If there are threatening skies, they should pull over and take shelter if possible.

Studies conducted by the Harvard University Medical School have found that lightning, and the thunder associated with it, are disorienting and can be the cause of weather-related accidents.

"As a boater and fishing enthusiast, I am very careful to avoid being caught in a storm on the water. I recommend checking the weather forecasts frequently, and changing your plans accordingly so you are not caught in one of Florida's inevitable storms," says Lee County Accident Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Fort Myers Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.