Earlier this week, two New Jersey State Troopers were slightly injured when lightning struck their cruisers. That incident had a lot of people asking if being in a car during a thunderstorm is a safe place to be.

So are you safe in a car during a thunderstorm? Yes -- to a degree. According to AccuWeather, if lightning strikes your car, the car's metal frame will protect the people inside as the charge will travel around the outside of the vehicle. However, if you are touching the side of the car (i.e. your arm sitting on the arm rest on the door) or even touching the steering wheel or gear shift, you could be injured. If you are driving in a convertible, have your windows open, or if your car isn't made of metal, you are at more of a risk of injury.

As for outdoor activities, we seem to see a story on the news every summer about a golfer being struck by lightning while out on a golf course. While golfers do get struck and killed on the golf course, many other outdoor activities are more dangerous. From 2006 to 2012, people who were out fishing accounted for the greatest number of lightning strike deaths, followed by camping, boating, soccer, and being out on a beach.

Remember: when thunder roars, head indoors!

 

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