CANON CITY - Authorities in Cañon City tell News 5 that a child was struck by lighting at a home on Monday. The fire department said the child was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
According to Meteorologist Alex O'Brien, Colorado ranks within the top ten in the United States for lightning related fatalities. It is something that hikers are susceptible to because of the higher elevation and the lack of sturdy shelter.
Here is how you can stay safe from lightning while hiking:
- First, always check the First Alert 5 Forecast.
- If thunderstorms are likely, it's best to stay home.
- In the summer, when thunderstorms can happen all the time, try to hike early and be back to you car by noon.
- While you are hiking, turn back if you see the sky darkening, even before you see or hear lightning.
- The first thing you should do if lightning seems imminent is to seek fully enclosed shelter. A building or a car works, but an open shed or tent are dangerous sports.
- It is a good idea to stay below the tree line if you can because being the tallest object around makes you an easy route for lightning to strike.
- If you are in the forest, avoid the tallest trees and stay low.
- Spread apart from your hiking buddies to avoid group strikes.
- Drop your metal poles and other metal objects.
- If someone is struck by lightning, call 911 immediately and perform CPR if necessary.
