The number of lightning deaths in the United States is way down compared to this point in previous years — a good sign at the end of lightning safety awareness week.
So far in 2016, six people have been struck and killed by lightning. You'd have to go back to 2012 to find a year with fewer deaths two-thirds of the way through June.
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Like most other years, however, Florida leads the way with half of the deaths occurring in that state this year.
This past week was lightning safety awareness week when the National Weather Service educates the public and raises awareness about the dangers of lightning.
Since this campaign first began, lightning fatalities in the United States have slowly been on the decline.
Most lightning strikes occur in the summer when thunderstorms are most common. Deaths from lightning happen to men more often than women, and an overwhelming majority of lightning strike deaths occur during leisure activity with work and daily routine in a distant second.
The best way to avoid getting added to this year's list of lightning fatalities is to go inside an enclosed building when lightning is nearby.
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