Growing up my sister was always petrified of thunderstorms. Whenever we had plans to go out if it was storming, that was no longer the case. On cloudy days she would avoid going to her lacrosse practices because she was afraid she would be stuck outside during a thunderstorm. She always knew that being in a car was the safest place to be and to stay away from metal. However, what if she wasn’t accessible to a car? And why is a car the safest place to be? 
Scientifically what happens during a thunderstorm is the strong electric field underneath a thundercloud causes the air to ionize as electrons are exposed from air molecules. As they get closer to the surface, the electric field encompassing the stride pioneers reasons objects on the ground to convey streamers of the inverse charge. According to this Site,“Fluctuations in the electric field and impurities in the air result in irregular paths of ionized air reaching down from the cloud towards the ground.” These are called Step Leaders.Taller items will begin conveying streamers first and pointed or sharp edges are more inclined to start streamers. The primary streamer to achieve sliding step leaders finishes the circuit and triggers the lightning strike.
After doing research I informed my sister that tall objects alone in an open space more to get struck, and her response was “but I’m only 4 feet and 10 inches.” However, it doesn’t matter how tall you are, you should not stand outside in an open area during a thunderstorm. Who would want to do that anyways? What my sister heard was correct. A car or any enclosed metal structure for that case is the safest place to be in a thunderstorm. According to this link,lighting flows around the outside of the car and the current flows from the car’s metal into the ground.For extra safety and precaution passengers should keep their hands in their lap and be sure not to touch anything in the car.
After explaining my research to my sister her next question was, “what if I can’t get to a car or there are no cars near me?” I then enlightened her that if you are unable to get to a car you need to find a ditch or a group of people that are around the same height as you. It is most important to stay away from water and trees and stay very far away from metal. My sister now understands that if she goes to her lacrosse practices and it starts to storm she should try and go into a car, but if that’s not the case she is very prepared on what she should do and is less afraid.
This is great and everything, but I think inside your house is the best place to be during a thunderstorm. I love watching the rain run down my window with listening to the crack of thunder inside my safe, cozy home.
I liked you in depth research on what to do in the house but what about if you get stuck in the car. Everyone has had an experience where you are driving and seem to be facing doom as dark clouds roll in. Here is how to be safe as possible in your car. http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/vehicle_strike.html