Shocked Facebook users have warned an unsuspecting woman just how close to danger she really was when she snapped an innocent picture of herself with her hair standing on end.
If you've ever rubbed a balloon against your head, then you'll know it's funny when your hair defies gravity and gets pulled away from your scalp due to static electricity.
Millions of us have probably snapped a photo at this exact moment, but if your hair ever stands on end when you're just out and about, chances are it's not a laughing matter.
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Facebook user Natalie was made all too aware of this after she took a selfie while on a walk on La Rocque beach in Jersey on 24 August, when she began to experience a 'very tingly feeling' in her head and forehead.
She noticed her hair went 'static' for around 10 or 15 minutes, and shared a picture of it standing on its end to a Jersey weather Facebook group.
Alongside the photo, Natalie explained she could hear thunder on the French coast, implying she knew the strange feeling she was experiencing had something to do with a thunderstorm.
However, Natalie didn't seem to realise that it was a warning sign that she was in danger, and Facebook users were quick to point it out.
"Just an FYI, if this happens again it's a signal that lighting is going to strike you," one person commented. "I find it bizarre that it's not more widely known/talked about in lightning safety. Glad you were ok."
Another added: "That's a sign of being in danger of being struck by lightning! You were very lucky that you weren't. Next time take cover!"
A post on the First Aid Training Cooperative website explains that frizzing hair caused by static is an 'early sign of an incoming lightning storm.
The site advises to 'get out of the area and into safety', and to 'follow the 30/30 rule': "If the time between seeing the flash of lightning and hearing the thunder is less than 30 seconds, take shelter. You are in a strike area. Remain in shelter for 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning."
"Signs of an imminent strike are your hairs standing on end, blue haloes around objects or a crackling noise in the air," the site adds.
In its own post about lightning safety, the weather.gov site adds: "If your hair stands on end, lightning is about to strike you. Drop to your knees and bend forward but don't lie flat on the ground. Wet ground is a good conductor of electricity."
After Facebook users shared their concerns with Natalie, she responded to one poster to admit she started to 'get a little nervous' as the strange feeling continued and 'headed higher up the beach' to try and stay safe.
Topics: UK News, World News, Science, Weather
Emily Brown