Can you attract lightning?

There are many myths surrounding lightning and how to attract it, here are some truths. Stand outside. The very act of being outside during a thunderstorm highly increases your chances of being struck by lightning, regardless of what you hold or wear. read more

Small metal objects will not attract a lightning channel that is further away than a distance equal to the object's length. Lightning would have to strike within three feet of this umbrella before it could be 'attracted' to the umbrella. read more

Lightning is a large-scale event that is not influenced by small ojects on the ground, so distancing yourself from small metal objects will not make you safe from lightning. Metal objects like umbrellas, golf clubs, bicycles and fences will attract a lightning channel only if the strike is already a few feet away - in which case you would still experience an injury from being that close to begin with. read more