Five young people have been killed by lightning in five different states in less than a week.

On July 3, Landon Dillard, 16, of Macon, Ga., was struck while riding a bicycle at a summer camp in Colorado.

Two days later, Korey Moore, 19, of Swansea, S.C., was killed while riding a personal water craft. The following day a lightning bolt hit 23-year old Stephanie Dawn Kirpes, as she was jogging along Virginia Beach.

Finally, two 16-year-olds died after being struck by lightning on July 7: Lucian Ellis was hit while seeking shelter from a storm in a beach hut in Samson Country, N.C. Ben Richter was killed by lightning at his family farm at Watertown, Wis.

July is the most active time for lightning storms. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, being outdoors during a lightning storm is very risky. Even shelters such as dugouts, carports, or beach huts are not safe, as they do not provide grounding in case lightning strikes.

Fully enclosed buildings with plumbing and wiring are the safest places because lightning will be absorbed into pipes and electronics, however it is advised to stay away from electronics and plumbing during violent storms. The second safest place to be is inside of a metal-topped vehicle.

Lightning is the second leading cause of weather related deaths in the U.S, after floods. In Florida, it is the number one cause of weather related deaths, and kills more than all other weather deaths combined.

Annually, lightning kills about 100 people in the U.S, and injures 1000. Often, injuries sustained from lightning strikes are severe and debilitating.

According to NOAA, the odds of being struck by lightning in most of the country are 280,000 to one. In Florida, with its violent and regular summer storms, the odds are 80,000 to one. The odds of being killed in an "average" atmosphere for lightning are 3 million to one. In Florida, it is about 900,000 to one.