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Summer in Florida, the Fourth of July, kids out of school, and lots of outdoor activity.

Hopefully, you will never experience a considerable sized bug burrowing its way into your ear but more about that later.

Lightning. Year ‘round residents know that Florida thunderstorms are different from those experienced elsewhere. We didn’t earn the dubious distinction of “lightning capitol of North America” and number one state for lightning related deaths for a random deadly strike.

Actually, we average 10 fatalities and 40 injuries per year. About half those deaths and injuries happen outdoors while participating in recreational activities. Nearly 40 percent of those are water related.

Northern visitors, listen up. It doesn’t need to be raining for lightning to strike. Most lightning occurs within 10 miles of its parent thunderstorm, but not always. Detection equipment has confirmed bolts striking 50 miles away, although rare. If you hear thunder, you could be a lightning victim unless you take immediate shelter.

Absolute musts

Get out of the water and off the pool deck — same goes for the Gulf and beach. Open exposed buildings are not safe (tiki huts, picnic shelters, etc). Go inside a sturdy building but stay away from windows, electrical appliances, and plumbing fixtures. An interior room is a prudent choice. Don’t take a shower or bath until lightning has dissipated.

According to Emergency Management, if you’re inside a vehicle, roll up the windows and avoid contact with any conducting paths leading to the outside of the vehicle such as CB’s, radios, and the ignition which could seriously burn you if lightning strikes. Convertibles are not safe since the rubber tires don’t protect you but instead, it’s the metal shell of the car. It gives the electricity from the lightning a path to move around you.

If you’re caught in an open boat, keep your arms and legs inside and stay as low as possible. Obviously, cease all aquatic activity and disconnect major electronic equipment. Do not make contact with two components connected to one system. Emergency Management uses the example of gear levers and a spotlight connected to the same system. If you’re touching both when lightning strikes, the electric current path could zoom through your heart. Most likely, the end.

When it comes to lightning, heed Mother Nature.

I’m mentioning the bug in the ear so you will know what to do if you experience this unfortunate and painful situation.

Recently, a visitor to Marco vehemently complained of “something” that had just crawled into her ear. She put rubbing alcohol in the affected ear hoping to drive out the little monster, however, it made the ordeal worse. While her husband was rushing her to Marco’s Emergency Care, she continued efforts to dislodge the bug. Fortunately, it crawled out as they reached the parking lot. Since the critter was the size of her husband’s middle fingernail (rather large!), they decided to see the doctor anyway in case it had caused damage. The doctor advised medication as a precautionary measure and told her next time (hopefully, not!), to use any kind of oil (olive, baby, vegetable, etc.) instead of alcohol. Apparently, the alcohol made the varmint extremely angry and induced it to burrow deeper into the ear.

Happy and safe Fourth of July!

Kay Sager is a certified fitness and aquatic specialist living at Port of the Islands. She is a personal trainer using land and water fitness and teaches swimming. She also has written articles for Physician and Sports Medicine among other publications. Kay can be reached by e-mail: kswimfit@aol.com.