Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 November 1883 — How to Escape Lightning. [ARTICLE]

How to Escape Lightning.

“What is the best thing to do in order to avoid being struck by lightning?” inquired a reporter of a prominent local scientist. “It is not so much of what to do as of what not to do,” was the answer. “In the first place, yon want to carry as little metal as possible about your person. When the storm approaches shelter yourself inside the nearest brick or stone building. If none be near, you stand still or lie down on your place, regardless of the rain, which is really a . protection. Avoid the shelter of trees and doorways, also outhouses, such as barns or stables, whether of stone or wood, especially of the latter. I consider that open, low, dry, stony ground is safer than high, wet and grassy ground, and that leeward sites are safer than windward ones. On seeking shelter laborers should leave their tools behind, as the metal is apt to attract the electric fluid. The chimneys of a house should be kept clean. Keep clear of fire-places, metals, especially pipes; of walls, especially outer ones; of wires, cisterns, window-bars, mirfors, pianos, gilt frames, etc., etc. All doors and windows should be closed. A building is greatly guarded by paving close around the walls and by dry and well-drained foundations. I would lay especial stress upon the danger of carrying metal about the person, or of having it near one, as many persons are killed by their carelesness in this respect.”—Milwaukee Wisconsin.