Staying safe from lightning this summer

Tuesday was a beautiful day to be outside around Southern Colorado.

“Just seeing all that nature has to give us, we’re loving it,” said Ann Geery.

We found her, along with a lot of other people, at Memorial Park.

“We met some great groups here this morning that are part of some stand-up paddle groups,” she said.

But with people in our area getting outside, they can find themselves in danger from lightning.

“Because it can strike quite a distance from where the storm actually is,” said Kathy Hook from the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

A dramatic example of the power of lightning happened this weekend at Memorial Park.

Someone was struck by lightning after playing in a cricket match.

The player is out of the hospital but still recovering from his injuries.

Playing sports is one of the most frequent things people are doing when they’re struck by lightning, but there are ways you can stay safe.

“If you’re at a place where you can get into a building, that’s your safest place to be,” said Hook.

Geery says she knows what to do if a thunderstorm threatens. It’s especially important for people who like to spend time on the water.

“Obviously you get off the water right away. You’re not paddling, that’s not smart,” she said.

If you follow some simple rules, then you can keep the fun rolling this summer, without any worries about danger form the skies.