LIGHTNING - BE PREPARED!
How Severe Is the Problem
National Statistics
Nationwide, lightning strikes about 25 million times each year, and on average, lightning kills about 49 people each year in the U.S. There were 29 lightning fatalities and 182 lightning injuries reported in the U.S. in 2010.
Lightning Damages
In the U.S. alone, some estimates put lightning losses at over $2 billion in damages each year. Lightning damage affects both homeowners and business owners. According to the National Lightning Safety Institute, 30 percent of businesses suffer lightning losses, costing the U.S. economy $6-7 billion. Lightning also has the potential to cause devastating fires that completely wipe out homes, businesses, and people who stand in the path of destruction.
Home Owners & Lightning Safety
Preparation for Home Owners
These days, many communities have emergency warning systems to alert residents about severe storms. Learn about your town’s warning system, and if your town doesn’t have one, talk to your mayor or city councilman.
As a homeowner, it’s important to be prepared in your community and in your home so that you can devise an effective storm survival strategy. The first precautionary step you should take to prepare for an oncoming lightning storm or future lightning storms is to secure your home. These are some things that you can do right now to prepare for potential storms.
Identify the safest place in your home, on the lowest level away from doors and windows, for household members to gather during a storm. You should also create a list of items that you might need in this safe place during a storm. Pack an emergency preparedness kit and place in in a location that everyone will remember. These are some of the most important items to place in your kit:
- At least 1 gallon of water per person
- Non-perishable food items
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Cell phone chargers
- Multi-purpose tool
- Emergency contact information
- Battery powered or hand-crank radio
- Cash
Lightning rods are fixed metal rods or wires that are installed on an
exposed part of a building to divert lightning to the ground.
Homeowners may want to install these because provide a path of low- resistance from the sky to the ground and protect your home. Contact your local fire department to discuss whether installing lightning rods on your building is a good idea.
In your yard, it’s a good idea to trim trees and shrubs to make them more wind resistant. Also, you should secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage. Finally, repair or replace faulty window, doors, or other parts of your home that may not be able to protect you during strong storms.
Taking Shelter in Your Home
Generally the safest place for you to go during a lightning storm is your own home or a safe building nearby if you are away from home. Postpone any outdoor activities until after the storm has completely ended, because lightning often strikes before rain starts and after it lets up. Unplug all electronic devices at the first indication that a storm is coming.
Mobile homes can often blow over during strong winds, so seek a more stable shelter nearby. When a storm starts, shutter your windows if possible, or at least close your blinds or curtains.
Generally the safest place for you to go during a lightning storm is your own home or a safe building nearby if you are away from home. Postpone any outdoor activities until after the storm has completely ended, because lightning often strikes before rain starts and after it lets up. Unplug all electronic devices at the first indication that a storm is coming.
Mobile homes can often blow over during strong winds, so seek a more stable shelter nearby. When a storm starts, shutter your windows if possible, or at least close your blinds or curtains.