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7 percent of lightning victims are military

Lightning strikes an average of 400 people a year, the National Weather Service says — and recent data shows that about 7 percent of them are service members.

While only about 20 percent of people hit by lightning die, those who live may have to deal with severe injuries, including deep burns where the lightning makes contact, for the rest of their lives. A lightning strike can lead to loss of limb, vision or hearing loss, weakness or numbness in the limbs, temporary paralysis, memory problems, headaches and, believe it or not, a fear of storms.

Since January 2009, some 42 service members have been hit by lightning, according to the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center. Of those, 29 were soldiers and nine were airmen. In February, three airmen were hit by a single lightning strike in Florida.

Lightning strikes most often in the summer and in the South. In fact, 13 of the 42 service members were hit at Fort Benning, Ga.

Experts say that as soon people hear the first clap of thunder, they should seek shelter in either a building or a vehicle, while taking care to stay away from metal surfaces. People also should stay away from tall objects, such as trees, and should avoid making themselves the tallest object in an area — so no standing upright in the middle of a field.

Also, put down that golf club.

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