It's kind of amazing that anyone could survive a lightning strike, but many people do every year. It's just as odd that lightning is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. when it comes to weather-related fatalities.

Meteorologists like to say that lightning is a constant threat from spring until fall, but the prevalence of thunderstorms is usually what makes people aware of lightning. How about, though, being struck twice by lightning and living through both strikes?

Although a cracked jaw, kidney damage and a feeling of being "on fire," some folks live through what I can only imagine as a nightmare scenario of having thousands of volts coursing through your body. Where do you go when you see or hear lightning outside?

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While training for something as physically demanding as the Olympic Games is obviously a very healthy endeavor, fans of the events may find that, for spectators, just the opposite is true.

Beyond the fact that Beijing is riddled with pollution, the site within the city where most of the Games are being held suffers an usually high number of lightning strikes.

This year has already seen 499 deaths in China as result of lightning strikes, and, according to meteorologists, Beijing is more likely to be hit than other parts of the country. Add to that the fact that Haidan (home to many of the Olympic venues -- including many that are open air) is "among the high-frequency regions of natural lightning" within Beijing, and it starts to sound like a justified concern.

Officials are trying to combat pollution in Beijing by halving the number of cars on the road, but -- while it has certainly reduced pollution -- the measure has thus far been ineffective at removing the thick cloud of smog that hangs over the city.

Will any of this matter to a die-hard fan who's set on attending the Games? Probably not. But for those who are planning on traveling to Beijing, it's worth learning more about the effects of smog, and what you can do to minimize your risk.

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In the Midwest, where I currently reside, thunderstorms are a very common occurrence. From the earliest days of spring to all throughout the summer, thunderstorms and the nastiness they provide can be scary to some while just mildly annoying to others.

It's never a good idea to be outside when a thunderstorm is in progress (for obvious reasons like lightning exposure), but there are threats inside a home as well.

Here are some tips for ensuring safety inside a dwelling when thunderstorms approach and develop. These sound like common sense, but from many angles, some folks don't take these rules and follow them (from what I have seen).

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