Baseball games, county fairs and a host of other activities have us outside during the summer months, but these warmer days also come with pop-up thunderstorms that can cause death or serious injury. It is wise to be weather aware to protect yourself and your family.

Lightning strikes the United States 25 million times each year. Our West Chester Fire Department wants to remind you that when thunder roars, you should head indoors. Take shelter in a building or hard-topped vehicle with the windows closed.

Depending on your situation, you may want to take action when storm clouds assemble but before thunder or lighting are present. Lightning can strike up to 10 miles away from a storm, so you don’t need to see rain to be in harm’s way.

If you find yourself on a body of water, in the woods or in open fields, you need to take action and find shelter while there is time before the fury of a storm. Be aware that thunderstorms can develop quickly, producing strong wind, pounding rain, damaging hail and deadly lightning. If you see dark clouds starting to pile up, don’t wait until your hear thunder or see lightning.

Tents, dugouts, picnic shelters and other small structures do not offer adequate protection from lightning. Avoid going under or near tall trees, do not swim or stay near water (including in the shower), and stay way from metal objects, electronics, and windows.

Lightning kills over 20 people a year on average in our country, and it injures hundreds more. If you are outdoors when clouds darken the sky, you need to think about seeking shelter. As much as you may want to get back to that golf round or baseball game, be sure to wait 30 minutes from the last time you hear thunder.

To learn more about how lightning forms and the risk it poses, go to this link: weather.gov/safety/lightning-science.