Safety sucks the fun out of my life.
I got up at the ass crack of dawn this morning in order to go swimming. I was all excited about the prospect of perfecting my butterfly stroke and chattering away with the senior citizens doing their aqua aerobics. Unfortunately, I was turned away from the indoor pool area because lightning was spotted. I was flabbergasted. First, how strong could a thunderstorm be in mid-October that would produce threatening lightning in NE Ohio? Secondly, what are the chances of lightning striking a small to mid-size indoor pool? I probably have a higher chance of a man dressed in a Smurf costume soliciting me for a hand job on my way to work, today.
I really can't blame the Y though... they are just following set standards for pool safety, recommended by the National Lightning Safety Institute, http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/indoor_pools.html, and http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/pool_closing_guide.pdf So, okay. I guess I understand. On the flip side though, these are the same people that recommend the following measures for thunderstorm safety: "
When inside a building AVOID:
Use of the telephone, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable TV wiring, plumbing, etc.
http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/multi_recommendation.html
Bah! Then again.. I'm a fairly unsafe creature. I can't tell you how often I've ran around outside in a thunderstorm, took the time to do my dishes, or worked in front of a TV with my laptop on. Guess I just like living on the edge.
I really can't blame the Y though... they are just following set standards for pool safety, recommended by the National Lightning Safety Institute, http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/indoor_pools.html, and http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/pool_closing_guide.pdf So, okay. I guess I understand. On the flip side though, these are the same people that recommend the following measures for thunderstorm safety: "
When inside a building AVOID:
Use of the telephone, taking a shower, washing your hands, doing dishes, or any contact with conductive surfaces with exposure to the outside such as metal door or window frames, electrical wiring, telephone wiring, cable TV wiring, plumbing, etc.
http://www.lightningsafety.com/nlsi_pls/multi_recommendation.html
Bah! Then again.. I'm a fairly unsafe creature. I can't tell you how often I've ran around outside in a thunderstorm, took the time to do my dishes, or worked in front of a TV with my laptop on. Guess I just like living on the edge.