Tell me if htis sounds stupid to you. Please.  

Hey,
Iam struggling to make a comment, lol. Well the only thing i can say is this is the summer season here and i really wont mind some rain pouring here in my place.
Well now i wonder its yours or mine post which is more idiotic?

Cheers,
Tutul

Actually, you have a very good point. Although most umbrellas have a plastic handle that would insulate you from a lightning strike, but usually the metal shaft is resting on your shoulder so what good would that do? Perhaps you should sell your idea of lightning-proof umbrellas to an umbrella manufacturer!

Yeah, it can definitely be a cause for concern since metal rods attract lightning. If those umbrellas are tipped with a plastic covering at the top then I think that should be fine. Lightning also hits those tall parts first also.
However, prevention is better than cure and lots of safety precaution should be greatly observed. The wooden umbrellas should be promoted in your area or some other alternatives to metal umbrellas. There must be some invention of some sort that makes the wooden umbrellas lighter and not just for garden use only. Plastic ones with cloth can also be used but I think there might be another environmental issue with this.

Those are just my suggestions and opinions anyways. I might not also know what Im talking about.LOL Best take care always in whatever kind of weather there might be.

hahaha!!! you are right!! most umbrellas now are made of metals. I did not see umbrellas that are made of plastics, I mean the frame of it is of metal. There are some umbrellas that the metal part outside of it is covered with plastic. Generally, only few places have lightnings and thunderstorms when it rained that is why the manufacturers did not think about it. Maybe in some areas who experience lightning all the time, it musst be good if there must be a special umbrella for that matter.

Wow.First of all the rain talks and lightning thing has got me high.It hasn't rained here for days and the heat has already caused me dehydration once.Even the thought of rain gets me excited these days.And about the metal thing in umbrella.Why they use it?Because it is cheap.And as long as we catch their neck they won't replace it with alternatives.But may be you should give your kids rain coat instead of Umbrella.More effective and more safe.