Outdoor Fears

It is in the great outdoors that we come face to face with the things that make us shudder the most. We dip our toes into the ocean and scan the water's surface for fins. We hear the tornado siren and our pulse quickens. We walk in the woods and cast a wary eye over our shoulders at every rustle in the brush.

Fortunately, our imaginations are almost always worse than the reality. The chances of anything really bad happening are minuscule. And even those small odds can be lengthened with a little knowledge. Take a look at these scenarios and their odds.

The Scenario: Being struck by lightning
The Odds: 1 in 240,000

There's a reason lightning strikes and lotteries are often mentioned in the same sentence. Only about 100 people in the United States die each year from lightning. Most strikes occur from June through August. Serious burns are actually rare. The most common injury is nervous system damage from the voltage. To reduce your risk:

• Seek cover when you're outdoors and less than 30 seconds pass between lightning and the following thunder.
• Find shelter in a walled building or car. Stay out of bus stop shelters or tents. If there's no shelter, find a low area. Avoid clearings, single trees, and metal objects such as poles and fences.

The Scenario: Dying in a tornado
The Odds: 1 in 5 million

About 60 people are killed each year by tornados; the usual cause of death is flying or falling debris. These tips will help you stay safe during tornados:

• Know the signs. These include a long, loud rumbling, and hail or heavy rain followed by a pronounced calm.
• If one is approaching, head to your basement or, if you have no basement, a bathroom or closet in the center of your house. Get in the tub and cover yourself with a blanket or mattress to protect you from debris.