This Debunked Lightning Safety Tip Just Won’t Die—and It’s Still Dangerous

If you get caught outdoors during a lightning storm, safety experts once recommended adopting a crouched position to lessen your chances of being struck by lightning. It turns out, however, that the position doesn’t make you any safer.

In response to social media and other internet sources allegedly spreading misinformation about lightning safety, the National Lightning Safety Council (NLSC) is re-emphasizing the fact that the “crouch” is outdated advice, and urged educators and weather broadcasters to stop recommending it.

“If you’re caught outside during a thunderstorm, the best plan of action is to move as fast as you can to a safer place,” John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist with the NLSC, said in a statement released by Loehr Lightning Protection Co. “The sooner you get to a safe place, the lower your risk. Crouching only prolongs the risk of being struck,” explained Jensenius.

The crouch isn’t just outdated—it was debunked almost 20 years ago. But despite the fact that the NLSC and the National Weather Service stopped recommending the crouch in 2008, institutions such as the American Hiking Society and the city of Bellmead in Texas continue to include it in their lightning safety guidelines.

“The crouch simply doesn’t provide a significant level of protection. Whether you’re standing or in the crouch position, if a lightning channel approaches from directly overhead (or very nearly so), you’re very likely to be struck and either killed or injured by the lightning strike,” reads a statement by the National Weather Service.

The statement goes on to warn that people who believe the crouch is effective might become complacent and forgo seeking a safe shelter until the very last minute. A key focus of lightning safety is to avoid entering into a dangerous situation in the first place, or in knowing how to get out of one.  “It’s more helpful to remind people to consider canceling or postponing activities if thunderstorms are predicted,” Chris Vagasky, a meteorologist with the NLSC, said in the first statement.

The reality is, if you’re caught outside during a thunder or lightning storm, there’s no completely safe option, according to the National Weather Service. However, they recommend that you still avoid open areas, the tallest objects in the area, and tall or isolated trees. If you are in a forest or woods, you should stand as far away as possible from any tree.

Lastly, if you are with a group, individuals should spread out to minimize the number of people that could be injured or killed in a single lightning strike. In 2024, the NLSC recorded 12 lightning fatalities.

“When it comes down to it, practicing lightning safety is a minor inconvenience that just might save your life,” Jensenius concluded.