If your hair stands up during a lightning storm, what should you do?

When your hair stands up during a lightning storm, this is an indication that you are in a dangerous situation where you could be struck by lightning. This phenomenon occurs because of the buildup of electrical charge in the atmosphere. If your hair begins to stand on end, it is a sign that you are in the path of an electrical discharge. The correct response to this alarming sign is to squat low to the ground for safety.

By squatting, you minimize your height and reduce the risk of becoming a target for a lightning strike. This position also keeps you closer to the ground, which can lessen the potential for injury from a strike or a nearby strike. The fundamental principle is to reduce your profile in relation to the surrounding environment and stay as low as possible until the storm passes.

Seeking shelter indoors is indeed critical in a lightning storm, but the urgency of the hair standing up implies that immediate action is needed rather than waiting or moving elsewhere. Other options like sitting down or seeking shelter under trees pose greater risks, as trees can attract lightning and provide no safety against a strike. Therefore, the best course of action in that critical moment is to squat low to the ground for safety.