How well do you know lightning?

There have been thousands of lightning strikes around metro Atlanta and north Georgia in recent weeks. On July 9 alone nearly 350 were recorded in north metro Atlanta. We asked the experts to separate old wives' tales and facts about a dangerous summertime occurrence.

1. Will lightning rods protect your home?
   1. Yes
   2. No
   3. Sometimes
2. Do rubber tires or shoes repel lightning?
   1. Yes
   2. No
   3. Depends on how thick the rubber
3. Is it safe to talk on a (cell or ground line) phone?
   1. Cell no. Ground-based, yes.
   2. Cell, no. Ground-based, no.
   3. Cell, maybe. Ground-based, no.
   4. Cell, yes. Ground-based, yes.
4. Is it necessary to unplug electronics during a storm?
   1. Not if you have surge protectors
   2. No
   3. Yes
5. When there's lightning is it safe to take a shower or bath?
   1. Yes
   2. No
   3. Yes, if you wear rubber flip flops
6. If there's lightning, should I be near water or water pipes?
   1. Yes
   2. No
   3. Yes, as long as you're inside a building
7. Do surge protectors work?
   1. Yes
   2. No
   3. They are not 100 percent effective
8. What are the odds of being struck by lightning during your lifetime?
   1. 1 in 10,000,000
   2. 1 in 1,000,000
   3. 1 in 15,000
   4. 1 in 3,000
9. What is the number of lightning-strike deaths in the United States between 1959 and 2003?
   1. 233
   2. 545
   3. 3,696
   4. 5,556
   5. 16,809
10. What is the number of people who survive lightning strikes each year in the United States?
    1. 400
    2. 230
    3. 113
    4. 12
11. How many miles away from a storm can you be and still be struck by lightning?
    1. 150
    2. 20
    3. 15
    4. 10
    5. 4
12. What is the temperature of a lightning bolt?
    1. 750,000 degrees Fahrenheit
    2. 500,000 degrees Fahrenheit
    3. 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit
    4. 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit
13. If lightning strikes near you what should you avoid?
    1. Avoid contact with people
    2. Avoid contact with metal
    3. Avoid contact with tall objects
    4. All of the above
    5. None of the above