Use caution with the word ‘shelter’ in lightning safety

In some countries, lightning causes more deaths than other weather events more commonly thought of as disasters, so there is a need for safe refuges during thunderstorms. Lightning also occurs with volcanoes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters so that disaster refuges in most areas should have lightning protection systems designed consistent with international standards. Of special concern is that the term ‘shelter’ in the U.S. and some other English-speaking countries is associated with many small structures that are nearly always unsafe from lightning. Factors that contribute to lightning risk are listed, as well as the importance of recognizing the mechanisms of lightning injury. Photographic examples are included of structures that are unsafe from lightning in several countries. How to make such structures safe from lightning is described as well as a brief overview of lightning injury prevention. • Of concern is that the term ‘shelter’ in the U.S. and some other English-speaking countries is very often associated with small structures that are nearly always unsafe from lightning. The paper lists factors that contribute to lightning risk, as well as knowing the mechanisms of lightning injury as related to small structures. Photos show such places that are unsafe from lightning, and advice on how to make such structures safe from lightning is described.