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Each Spring I stand in awe of how nature waters the earth year after year, right on time, as spring bursts forth in all its glory! The birds begin to chirp and our eyes behold the beauty of blooming flowers on our trees and under our windowsills. Not to be missed or disrespected, comes the heavy rain with unforgiving shows of lightening colorfully exhibiting itself in our skies. The thunder and lightening seems to be saying, " I am dancing off the earth to usher in God's new glory." Beautiful as it is, spring electric lightening can be dangerous to young and old who are out in a Texas storm!
I remember moving to Texas in 1980, and the first time I saw the spring rains come; I was terrified as I experienced displays of lightening literally bouncing off the streets and in the trees. I found myself driving in a down pour not experienced anywhere else I had ever lived. Overflowing puddles mounted up in a matter of seconds and then it was over! Before you know it the sun shines, and all nature sings of it's brand new washing, and out of nowhere the tulip bulbs begin to poke their pretty heads out of the ground as the birds begin to sing a new song.
But danger lurks with each lightening storm. Lightening can injure or kill and it does that to hundreds of Americans each year. Because we do have frightening electric storms in Texas, it is important that children and the elderly particularly, follow these safety rules if they are caught in a storm.
Seek shelter and stay in an enclosed building if possible until the storm has passed. For the obvious reasons, avoid doors, windows and anything that conducts electricity. Remember that inner rooms are far safer than rooms along the outer walls of a building. Stay out of picnic pavilions and rain shelters. You can seek safety in a car if need be, but be sure to close the windows. As long as you aren't touching metal the car's steel frame will offer some protection. My dad use to say it was the rubber tires the automobile sets on that prevents the lightening from striking you. Frankly, I think it may have something more to do with using good sense in a storm.
We may try to busy ourselves when a storm hits but it is important to stay away from water. Don't do dishes or laundry, and don't even wash your hands. Don't take a bath or shower either. If you are on a lake when a storm is about to hit perhaps boating or swimming, head for shore and shelter as fast as you can.
Do not use electrical appliances or telephone or the Internet during a storm. Lightening can follow electrical wires and phone lines into your home. Turn them all off or unplug them until the storm subsides.
Seek a safe location, especially if it should thunder immediately after lightening occurs. Once the storm has gone, wait at least 30 minutes before venturing outside again. The last lightening flash should have been completed by then and the storm moved on.
I am sure your mom always told you to stay away from trees and any tall, isolated structures at the first sign of lightening. Well, mom was a wise old girl, and don't forget if you should be golfing or playing tennis, drop those metal or aluminum golf clubs or tennis rackets and run like the devil for cover inside of the nearest building.
Spring is a wonderful time of year to watch and enjoy the awakening of nature once again, but we must all be cautious when the spring rains come. People have been known to drown in even a small amount of raging water. As we age, it takes us a little longer to get where we are going and our balance isn't as good as it use to be. In Texas, lightening can be dangerous, so pay attention and get a move on at the first sign of a sprinkle of rain, because the electrical shows will be a part of it all. You can count on it every spring!
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