Interacting with nature by
K:
How to Offer Wild Birds Shelter in the Winter
Not all birds migrate south for the
winter. Winter is a hard season for birds, and many risk freezing to death
at night. It doesn't take much effort or money to provide shelter for them,
and it can make a huge difference to the little feathered guys!
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A safe place when lightning hits
Here's the question. It's one we argue about all the time
around the docks. Some of the docks where I work are covered with roofs, all
metal. They're quite high, of course, to allow boats to rise with the tides
during storms. In any event, half of the folks say that it is safe to take
shelter under a shed during a thunderstorm, other say no, you had better get the
heck out of the sheds, too. I haven't a clue about the science that's being
assumed on either side of the argument - if any! What's your opinion?
ShoreAcres, League City, Texas, USA
A metal roof would help — if the metal shed is fully
enclosed. The metal shed would act as a 'Faraday cage', like a metal car does. If lightning
hit the metal roof, the metal roof and shed would conduct the
electricity away.
But, if the sheds are open, water could get in and conduct the electricity
into the shed where it could hurt you. So, it would be a bad idea to seek shelter
in the sheds, if they're open.
Safe places to take shelter in a thunderstorm: safest - the house,
next - the car. Photos courtesy of Wikipedia.
I checked with the NOAA for their advice. "No place is absolutely safe from lightning; however, some places are much
safer than others. The safest location during lightning activity is a large
enclosed building, not a picnic shelter or shed. The second safest location is
an enclosed metal vehicle, car, truck, van, etc., but NOT a convertible, bike or
other topless or soft top vehicle.
A 'safe' building is fully enclosed with a roof, walls and floor, such as a
home, school, office building or a shopping center. It's safe
because the plumbing pipes and wiring conduct the lightning's electricity to
ground, which is why you should stay away from plumbing (showers, sinks) and
wiring (TVs, computers).
Unsafe buildings include car ports, covered but open
garages, covered patio, picnic shelters, beach shacks/pavilions, golf shelters,
camping tents, large outdoor tents, baseball dugouts and other small buildings
such as sheds and greenhouses that do not have electricity or plumbing.
So, head for a fully-enclosed large building with wiring and
plumbing, or (second choice) a fully-enclosed metal car. Be sure to roll up the
windows, so the water can't conduct the electricity inside to you.
Further Reading
Lightning Safety, National Weather Service
(Answered Feb. 5, 2008)
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