Lightning strikes the United States 25 million times a year, which sometimes results in death or permanent injury. The safest place to be when lightning occurs is indoors or inside a hard-topped enclosed vehicle.

All thunderstorms produce lightning and are dangerous. Lightning strikes outside the area of heavy rain and may strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. Many lightning deaths occur ahead of storms or after storms seem to have passed.

Keep this simple fact in mind: if you can hear thunder, you’re in danger. Also, don’t be fooled by blue skies. There is no such thing as “heat lightning.” All lightning comes as a result of a thunderstorm, and, if you hear thunder, lightning is close enough to pose an immediate threat to you.

The most effective lightning safety action can be found in avoiding the lightning threat altogether. Have a lightning safety plan, especially if you’re having an outdoor event. If you have outdoor plans, know where you’ll go for safety in the event of lightning or thunder, and figure out how much time it will take to get to the safe place. Make sure your plan allows enough time to reach safely.

Before going outdoors, check the forecast for thunderstorms. If thunderstorms are in the forecast, consider postponing activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.