We asked the experts to separate old wives' tales and facts about a dangerous —- sometimes daily —- summertime occurrence.

Q: How does a lightning strike start a fire?

A: "Even if there are no flammable liquids where lightning strikes, some fraction of cloud-to-ground lightning flashes have long 'continuing currents' that can provide enough energy to ignite combustible substances such as wood, whether in the frame of a house or a tree," said William Beasley, a meteorology professor at the University of Oklahoma.

Q: Will lightning rods protect your home?

A: Yes. "The latest research shows that blunt lightning rods are more effective than sharp ones," said Beasley, who works with the Center for Lightning Advanced Studies and Safety.

Q: Do rubber tires or shoes repel lightning?

A: No, according to WSB meteorologist David Chandley. "Rubber-soled shoes do nothing. In fact, rubber tires do not repel lightning," Chandley said. "A car or truck is a safe haven from lightning, but it's because it is enclosed, low to the ground, and grounded by the tires. Rubber has nothing to do with it." (TV station WSB is part of Cox Enterprises, which owns The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)

Q: Is it safe to talk on a cell or ground-line phone?

A: A cellphone, maybe. A ground-based phone, no, according to Chandley. "However, for maximum safety, it cannot hurt to delay calls until after a storm is over," agreed Beasley.

Q: Is it necessary to unplug electronics during a storm?

A: Yes. "I would also stay away from water and water pipes, so no showers or baths during a thunderstorm," advised Chandley.

BY THE NUMBERS

25 million: Average number of bolts of lightning recorded each year in the United States.

1 in 3,000: Odds of being struck by lightning during your lifetime.

58: Average number of lightning-related deaths each year in the United States.

10: Miles away from a storm you can be and still be struck by lightning.

Source: National Geographic

SAFETY TIPS

INDOORS

Avoid water.

Stay away from doors and windows.

Turn off and unplug all electronics.

OUTDOORS

Avoid water, high ground, open spaces and metal objects.

Try to seek shelter in a vehicle and close windows.

Avoid trees, tents and picnic shelters.

IF LIGHTNING STRIKES NEAR YOU

Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet. Place your hands over your ears and put your head between your knees. Minimize your contact with the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground.

Source: National Lightning Safety Institute, FEMA

 CHARLES W. JONES / Staff 
There have been thousands of lightning strikes around metro Atlanta and North Georgia in recent weeks. On Wednesday, nearly 350 were recorded in north metro Atlanta. 
Lightning anatomy 
Note: Photo illustration created for steps 1 and 2. 
1. In the cloud 
Ice particles colliding within the cloud causes positive and negative electrical charges to separate. 
The positively charged particles collect at the top of the cloud; the negative particles settle at the bottom. 
2. Sky to ground 
As the negatively charged particles in the lower cloud fall closer to the ground, they become attracted to positive charges on the ground. 
3. Let there be light 
The two charges draw closer and connect to form lightning.  Each spark, at about 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, contains about 100 million volts. 
First photo illustration shows:
Positive charge (in the sky)
Ice particle collisions (Step 1) 
Negative charge 
(Step 2)
Positive charge (on the ground)
Second photo illustration shows step 3. 
Source: National Weather Service 
Photo by bigstockphotos.com