It is not safe to stay under a tree during a lightning storm because trees can attract lightning and pose a significant risk to personal safety.
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Lightning is a powerful discharge of electricity that occurs during thunderstorms. It seeks the path of least resistance to the ground, and tall objects such as trees often become targets for lightning strikes. When lightning strikes a tree, the electrical current passes through the tree and into the ground.
While trees are not very good conductors of electricity, they still conduct it to some extent. However, the human body is a much better conductor of electricity than a tree. When you are under a tree during a lightning storm, the current can pass through the tree and then through your body, which poses a major danger.
Being struck by lightning can cause severe injury or even death. The electrical current can disrupt the normal functioning of the body and lead to cardiac arrest, burns, neurological damage, and other life-threatening injuries. The risk of being struck by lightning increases when you are in open areas such as fields, and standing under a tree adds an additional element of danger.
To minimize the risk of being struck by lightning, it is important to seek appropriate shelter during a storm. Staying indoors in a sturdy building with plumbing and wiring, or being inside a fully enclosed vehicle, is the safest option. If you are caught outside and cannot find shelter, it is important to avoid tall objects such as trees and instead crouch down in a low, unexposed area. Do not seek shelter under isolated trees or near metal objects such as fences or power lines, as these can conduct electricity and increase the risk of injury.
In summary, it is not safe to stay under a tree during a lightning storm because trees can attract lightning, and the electrical current can pass through the tree and into your body. To ensure personal safety during a storm, it is crucial to seek appropriate shelter and avoid being near or under tall objects such as trees.