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Some Enlightenment on Lightning
By Steve Travis, NWS State College Meteorologist
Lightning is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs every year all across Pennsylvania. Have you ever wondered how lightning forms? Or perhaps how to stay safe if you are outside and hear that low rumble from an approaching thunderstorm? Keep reading to find out!
Thunderstorms are composed of countless water droplets, ice crystals, and graupel. Graupel is a small, soft ice pellet that forms when water droplets freeze onto a snow crystal in a process called riming.
Rising and sinking air within the storm causes the graupel to crash into water droplets and ice particles. This collision leads to a separation of electrical charge; the graupel takes on a negative electrical charge and the other particles take on a positive charge. Since graupel (negative charge) is heavier than the water and ice crystals, it sinks to the lower part of the storm cloud while the lighter particles (positive charge) collect higher up in the cloud. Eventually, the separation of charge becomes so large that a channel forms between the positive and negative regions.
The resulting electrical transfer within that channel is what we see as lightning!
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Fireworks Safety
As millions of Pennsylvanians prepare for Fourth of July celebrations, there are some fireworks-related precautionary measures that you should keep in mind.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that, in 2018, there were five nonprofessional fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 9,100 patients were treated for fireworks injuries in hospital emergency rooms, nationwide. Approximately half of the injuries reported were burns, with the head, eyes, face, or ears, being the most frequently impacted part of the body. Thirty-six percent of those injuries involved children under the age of 15.
Smaller fireworks, such as sparklers, are one of the most significant risks to child safety. A sparkler is easy to use, but it is also easy to get hurt by a sparkler. The tip of a sparkler is scorching at 1200 degrees. At least 25 percent of children are injured to do sparklers.
Pennsylvanians who are at least 18-years-old may purchase and use Class C, otherwise known as consumer-grade, fireworks under state law. Certain restrictions apply, including:
- They cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without the express permission of the property owner.
- They cannot be discharged from within a motor vehicle or building.
- They cannot be discharged toward a motor vehicle or building.
- They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure, whether or not a person is actually present.
- They cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance, or another drug.
Local ordinances may include additional restrictions, so check with your municipality before purchasing or using Class C fireworks.
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It's Grilling Season; Stay Safe
Summer is the season of cookouts! Stay safe when grilling by:
- Checking grills for rust, insects, spiders, grease, and other debris before use.
- Replace worn gas hoses.
- Never grill indoors, in a garage, breezeway, or carport.
- Grills should only be used at least 10 feet away from your house or any building.
Check out these grilling fire statistics:
- Children under five accounted for an average of 2,000 or 39% of the contact-type burns per year. These burns typically occurred when someone, often a child, bumped into, touched, or fell on the grill, grill part, or hot coals.
- Gas grills were involved in an average of 8,900 home fires per year, including 3,900 structure fires and 4,900 outdoor fires annually. Leaks or breaks were primarily a problem with gas grills. Leaks or breaks caused ten percent of gas grill structure fires and 22% of outside gas grill fires.
- Charcoal or other solid-fueled grills were involved in 1,300 home fires per year, including 600 structure fires and 600 outside fires annually.
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Pets are Family: Prepare Them for Emergencies During Pet Preparedness Month
It’s starting to feel like summer. One demographic which has thoroughly enjoyed the pandemic restrictions is our pets. Endless hours of togetherness, no trips to the veterinarian or the groomer, and no more silly work commutes.
It's going to be hard on our pets with the world opening back up again and adjusting to spending some time alone. Summer pet-friendly activities can certainly ease that transition.
Here are some things to remember as you start getting out there again with your furry friends.
- Keep them cool! Our pets generally lack the ability to sweat, so make sure all pets have continuous access to lots of cool water to help them stay hydrated and avoid overheating. Many parks have eliminated access to their water fountains to maintain social distancing and lower disease risk, but that may mean there is no access to refill bowls, so please plan for their water needs.
- Pennsylvania now has a “hot cars” law recognizing that even if the temperature seems mild, it can get exponentially hotter inside a locked vehicle extremely quickly. Consider carefully if you are transporting pets, or you may face a criminal citation.
- Hot paws are no fun, so consider routes for walks with access to grass and check sidewalk and blacktop temperature before walking dogs over it.
- Ensure a cool shady area for your pets for outdoor activities and keep an eye on them for signs of overheating like lethargy and excessive panting.
- Ensure you’re providing flea and tick prevention; with pets spending more time outside, ensure they are appropriately protected and regularly check them for ticks.
- Be careful about fireworks around pets. Some pets startle easily, and every year animals go missing because they ran off terrified of fireworks. Make sure your pets are microchipped, licensed, and wearing a well-fitting collar.
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