Editor’s note: This is the second in a series this week about hazardous weather. This is Severe Weather Awareness Week across the state of Alabama.

Lightning can kill.

The summer months of June through September are the deadliest as far as lightning is concerned.

“In an average year, three people will be struck and killed by lightning in Alabama and at least six will be injured,” said Rhonda Abbott, director of the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency.

This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Alabama. During this week, people in the state are encouraged to learn or review the proper safety precautions necessary for protecting their lives during severe weather.

Scientists tell us lightning is produced in thunderstorms when liquid and ice particles above the freezing level collide and build up large electrical fields in the clouds. Once these electrical fields become large enough, a giant spark occurs between them or between them and the ground.

The lightning, as the spark is called, may occur between clouds, between the cloud and the air or between the cloud and the ground.

Scientists also tell us the temperature inside a lightning bolt can reach 50,000 degrees, which is hotter than the surface of the sun. Objects that are struck by lightning can catch on fire, but because the flash is so brief, objects also can show little or no evidence.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham recommends these rules for lightning safety:

Move inside a well-constructed house, a large building or an all-metal vehicle. Stay away from electrical appliances and do not use the telephone. If you are in a boat, get off the water and into a substantial building or at least into an enclosed and all-metal vehicle with the windows up.

If you are caught in an open metal boat, lie down in the boat with cushions between you and the metal sides and bottom.

If you are caught outdoors during a storm and are too far away from appropriate shelter, you only have one last ditch effort to lower your chances of being directly struck. Crouch down low, but do not lie flat on the ground.

If in a ravine or valley, be alert for the threat of flooding. The best advice is to check the forecast and watch the sky for storm development and not put yourself in the situation where you are out in the open when a thunderstorm occurs.

Move away from motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, bicycles, tractors and other metal farm equipment.

Avoid isolated trees. Stay away from the tallest trees. If caught in the woods, pick a small grove of trees as your shelter and stand at least 5 feet from the trunk of the nearest tree to avoid flying bark if the tree is struck.

Avoid standing in a small isolated shed or other small ungrounded structure.

If you are with a group of people in an open area and cannot get to appropriate shelter, spread out before you take final efforts.