Changing Perceptions, Countering Myths, Teaching Life Saving Behaviors
In many parts of Africa, people believe that death, injury and property damage from lightning is inevitable and something they have little power to change. Others believe that lightning can be called down by witches or attracted by the color of clothes they are wearing or that anyone injured by lightning is being punished for sins.
Lightning Safety has two necessary components:
- Lightning safe locations where people can go to escape lightning injury -- which is why we are protecting schools, school children, and teaching standardized lightning protection system (LPS) design to LPS professionals in Uganda.
- Behavioral education that teaches individuals behaviors they can use to decrease their risk and prevent injury. Part of the basis for this is dispelling myths and teaching that lightning is a natural occurrence. Many of these beliefs have been strongly held and taught from generation to generation.
While cultural sensitivity and respect is required, EDUCATION is the key - that lightning has a scientific basis, that it can be detected, quantified, described, and that there are behaviors individuals can take to change their risk of lightning injury.
In addition to continuing educational work on lightning safety in communities where we have installed lightning protection systems, we began a social media campaign in 2024 with lightning facts from 'So You Think You Know LIGHTNING, a Collection of Electrifying Fast Facts', Ronald L Holle and Daile Zhang. The campaign also includes medical facts about lightning.
