At 10:20 a.m. July 27, the Hicksville Fire Department and Nassau County Police were called to Cantiague Park after five men were struck by lightning. Three suffered severe burns, one suffered minor burns and another muscle strains. All the aided were taken to local hospitals by fire department and police ambulances.

Later the same day, the Hicksville Fire Department responded to a call for a house fire. Upon arrival, fire personnel found that the Georgia Street home had been struck by lightning. The home's attic and second floor were damaged by the strike but no one was injured.

Each year, more people are killed by lightning than by tornadoes, floods or hurricanes and, according to the New York State Department of Health, thunderstorm activity is greatest during July and August. Following simple precautions, however, can save a life during a storm.

"We are strongly urge our neighbors to seek safe shelter immediately when they first see lightning or hear thunder," said Hicksville Fire Department 1st Assistant Chief Edward Korona.

For starters, if you are going to be outdoors, it is important to remain alert. Continuously monitor local weather conditions on the radio. A thunderstorm watch will be issued when severe thunderstorms are possible in and close to the watch area. A watch is issued to alert one of the possibility of thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail may develop, while thunderstorm warnings are issued when a severe thunderstorm has been spotted and is going to move through one's county soon.

If you are going to be outdoors, it is important for you to recognize the signs of an oncoming thunder and lightning storm, which include towering clouds with a "cauliflower" shape, dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning. If your skin tingles or your hair stands on end, a lightning strike may be about to happen and it is important to seek shelter immediately. Do not wait for lightning to strike nearby before taking cover.

"When outside, avoid water, high ground areas and open spaces like fields," said Korona.

"Keep an eye on the sky. Look for darkening skies, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder," states the American Red Cross website. "If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning and should seek safe shelter immediately. Go to safe shelter immediately."

In finding a safe place, it is important to do so in a large, enclosed building. Find a low spot away from trees, metal fences, pipes, tall or long objects. "You should not seek shelter under trees or in metal frame canopies," said Korona, adding, "If a building is not available but your vehicle is, go to the vehicle immediately and stay inside with the windows closed.

When indoors, stay several feet away from open windows, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, electric boxes and outlets and appliances as lightning can flow through these and "jump" to a person. If you are in a car with a hard or solid top, remain inside with the windows rolled up.

In the event shelter is not an option, it is important to follow precautions. If you are on land, crouch down on the balls of your feet with your feet close together, staying as far away from trees and metal objects as possible. Keep your hands on your knees and lower your head. Get as low as possible without touching your hands or knees to the ground but do not lie down.

If you are near the water - swimming, fishing or boating - and there are clouds, dark skies and distant rumbles of thunder or flashes of lightning, get to land immediately and seek shelter. If you are in a boat and cannot get to shore, crouch down in the middle of the boat. Go below if possible. If you are in the woods, look for an area of shorter trees. Crouch down away from tree trunks.

"These storms are sometimes very unpredictable. We urge our neighbors to adhere to warnings by officials when these types of emergencies occur," said Korona.