This is National Lightning Safety Awareness Week and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management offers tips on staying safe in a storm. If possible go indoors as a sturdy building is the safest place to be during thunder and lightning. Avoid running water or using landline phones when taking shelter and unplug unused appliances along with other other electric devices. And stay away from bodies of water. The DEM says lightning is a leading cause of injury and death for victims of weather-related incidents.