Health briefs: It's electric!

Although your risk of being struck by summer lightning is extremely small, you can make it still smaller by taking some basic precautions, according to the American College of Emergency Physicians.

* Stay inside during a storm. Anyone outdoors before or during a lightning storm should take shelter as soon as possible. An insulated building with plumbing and wiring is the safest choice. A nonconvertible car is also safe.

* Inside the house, turn off and stay away from electrical appliances, televisions, computers and power tools. Keep your distance from the fireplace as well.

* Use cellphones and cordless phones rather than landline telephones with cords if possible.

* Avoid water, which conducts electricity.

* Keep away from metal objects.

* Wait 30 minutes from the last observed lightning flash before resuming activities.

Bad chance

Drinking even a single glass of beer or wine can raise blood-alcohol concentrations enough to increase the chances of being seriously injured or dying in a car crash for those who get behind the wheel, a new study from University of California suggests.

-- HealthDay