Lightning fatality and injury statistics in Canada
Lightning is a threat to public safety in Canada. Each year on average in Canada, there are between two and three lightning-related deaths and 180 lightning-related injuries.
These statistics are based on an analysis of media reports, vital statistics, hospital admission and emergency room visitation records, and fire loss data.
Annual statistics of lightning-related casualties
Click to view data table
| Year | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 |
3 | 162 |
| 2003 |
2 | 135 |
| 2004 |
1 | 124 |
| 2005 |
2 | 276 |
| 2006 |
4 | 222 |
| 2007 |
7 | 114 |
| 2008 |
4 | 187 |
| 2009 |
3 | 193 |
| 2010 |
5 | 158 |
| 2011 |
2 | 141 |
| 2012 |
4 | 347 |
| 2013 |
1 | 177 |
| 2014 |
1 | 222 |
| 2015 |
0 | 132 |
| 2016 |
2 | 161 |
| 2017 |
0 | 126 |
*Based on analysis and extrapolation of government vital statistics, hospital and emergency room admission records, and media reports (Mills 2019)
Lightning-related fatalities
Average deaths per year due to lightning have declined significantly over the past century and even over the past two decades. This observation is consistent with trends in other developed countries.
Long description:
The average deaths per year between 1994-2003 of 9-10 decreased to 2-3 deaths between 2002-2017. A downward lightning strike illustrates the downward trend.
The majority of lightning-related fatalities and injuries in Canada occur in four provinces, Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Long description:
Map of Canada in grey with Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec coloured red. The text reads: 90% of lightning-related deaths in Canada occur in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Increase of fatalities and injuries in the summer
Most lightning-related fatalities and injuries occur during the summer season (June to August). More than 90 per cent of lightning-related deaths and 80 per cent of injuries reported in the media for the period 2002-2017 have occurred in June, July, and August.
Click to view data table
| Month | Fatalities | Non-fatal injuries | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | Percentage* | Count | Percentage* | |
| January | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| February | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| March | 2 | 5.6 | 3 | 1.3 |
| April | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.8 |
| May | 4 | 11.1 | 16 | 6.7 |
| June | 6 | 16.7 | 48 | 20.0 |
| July | 13 | 36.1 | 111 | 46.3 |
| August | 8 | 22.2 | 47 | 19.6 |
| September | 2 | 5.6 | 9 | 3.8 |
| October | 1 | 2.8 | 1 | 0.4 |
| November | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
| December | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.3 |
| Total | 36 | 100.0 | 240 | 100.0 |
*numbers may not add to 100 due to rounding
Demographics of victims
In terms of demographics, male victims accounted for 85 per cent of fatalities and 63 per cent of non-fatal injuries. Female victims accounted for 15 per cent of fatalities and 37 per cent of non-fatal injuries. The vast majority of victims were 18-54 years of age.
Long description:
Male silhouette: 85% of fatalities - 63% of non-fatal-injuries. This indicates the percentage of fatalities and injuries that males accounted for.
Long description:
Female silhouette: 15% of fatalities - 37% of non-fatal-injuries. This indicates the percentage of fatalities and injuries that females accounted for.
Click to view data table
| Age (yrs) | Fatalitiesa | Non-fatal injuriesa | All casualtiesa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | Percentageb | Count | Percentageb | Count | Percentageb | |
| <18 | 4 | 11.4 | 27 | 29.7 | 31 | 24.6 |
| 18-54 | 25 | 71.4 | 55 | 60.4 | 80 | 63.5 |
| 54 + | 6 | 17.1 | 9 | 9.9 | 15 | 11.9 |
| Total | 35 | 100.0 | 91 | 100.0 | 126 | 100.0 |
aonly includes data for victims whose age was discernable from media reports
bpercentages may not add to 100 due to rounding
Lightning-related statistics by activity
Outdoor recreation of various kinds on both land and water has accounted for over 47 per cent of fatalities and over 40 per cent of injuries of those impacted by lightning.
Breaking down this category, campers, hikers and walkers accounted for the largest percentage of those killed by lightning (22 per cent).
Outdoor workers accounted for another 22 per cent of lightning fatalities.
Results from other studies also show that sports, such as soccer and baseball, are often associated with multiple-casualty lightning incidents and account for 23 per cent of outdoor injuries.
For most fatalities and injuries, people were in open areas or taking shelter under a tree.
Click to view data table
| Activity/location | Deaths | Injuries | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | Percentage | Count | Percentage | |
| Sports (e.g. soccer, baseball) | 3 | 8.3 | 35 | 15.4 |
| Golfing | 1 | 2.8 | 18 | 7.9 |
| Boating/water sports | 4 | 11.1 | 11 | 4.8 |
| Picnicking | 1 | 2.8 | 4 | 1.8 |
| Working | 8 | 22.2 | 25 | 11 |
| Camping/hiking/walking | 8 | 22.2 | 22 | 9.7 |
| Under/beside a tree | 4 | 11.1 | 31 | 13.7 |
| All other open areas | 4 | 11.1 | 23 | 10.1 |
| Unprotected structure (e.g. gazebo, shed) | 1 | 2.8 | 23 | 10.1 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1.3 |
| Total outdoors | 34 | 94.4% | 195 | 85.8% |
| Activity/location | Deaths | Injuries | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | Percentage | Count | Percentage | |
| Contact with an electrically-charged object/surface and indirect causes** | 2 | 5.6 | 32 | 14.1 |
| Total indoors | 2 | 5.6% | 32 | 14.1% |
**Lightning hit a gas line igniting a house fire in Summerland, BC. Two people died.
Always remember, when thunder roars, GO INDOORS!
When indoors, stay safe by staying away from windows, not washing dishes, bathing or using plugged in devices during a thunderstorm. More indoor lightning safety information can be found at Lightning safety overview.
Please note: all of this information is based on material collected from the following paper:
Mills, Brian, “An updated assessment of lightning-related fatality and injury risk in Canada: 2002–2017,” Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, (May 2020), pp. 1-13.
Page details
- Date modified: