Spencer, IA (KICD) -- It's a week set to become aware of the dangers of lightning.

This week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week. While the talk is constantly about tornado safety or flash flooding safety, not so much is expressed about precautions that need to be taken for lightning, during thunderstorms.

Todd Heitkamp is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the Sioux National Weather Service. He says lightning does not get the respect that other parts of severe weather do...



According to National Weather Service data, an average of 73 people are killed by lightning strikes each year. Heitkamp says that figure doesn't include those injured by strikes...



Heitkamp gives an amazing fact about a bolt of lightning...



Another big misconception is people think that when the rain stops the storm has ended, and all is safe. Not so, says Heidebrink...



Heitkamp says to avoid open areas, such as golf courses, or farm fields or even big open yards. While no place is 100% safe from lightning, staying in a vehicle is not a bad option...



When in a place of safety, remember to wait 30 minutes from the last sound of thunder before going back outside,