This paper will discuss the ongoing efforts of the NOAA Lightning Safety Working Group, with an emphasis on educating children about lightning safety. Topics to be discussed in the poster presentation will include the children's/teachers educational resource section on NOAA's Lightning Safety Website. This section includes posters, coloring books, a variety of computer media presentations which discuss all aspects of lightning and lightning safety, and an on-line children's lightning safety game.

“Leon the Lightning Safety Lion” is the official lightning safety mascot. We are tentatively planning on having a “Leon the Lightning Lion” make an appearance at the WeatherFest section of the AMS conference. We also plan to have PCs available for children to play the on-line children's lightning safety game during the poster presentation section of the conference and at WeatherFest.

Lightning casualty statistics indicate that rates are gradually decreasing across the United States. Through our continuing educational efforts, especially those directed toward children, we hope that the trend of decreasing lightning casualties across our country will continue.