Lightning Safety Awareness Week
Summertime is here, and this time of year is virtually synonymous with the love of outdoor activities. Soccer & baseball games, firing up the grill, boating on the lake, weekend camping trips and going to the beach--all of these things might remind you of a flawless summer afternoon. However, one thing that you might not be prepared for is the possibility of a lightning strike. According to the Lightning Protection Institute, lightning kills an average of 62 people and injures thousands each year in the United States. "Summertime is the most dangerous time of year for lightning for a variety of reasons," says Christopher Bean President of Alltec Corporation, a company that specializes in lightning protection. "There are more thunderstorms at this time of year and people really don't recognize the risk until it happens to them," he says. "Every week I hear stories from people who have lost everything and who don't have adequate insurance to cover the loss."
Peak lightning season occurs in the summertime due to the increased number of thunderstorms. As the sun heats the air, pockets of warmer air rise and cumulus clouds form. Continued heating can cause these clouds to grow vertically into towering cumuli nimbus thunderheads, often the first sign of a developing thunderstorm. As a thunderstorm grows, electrical charges build up within the cloud, causing charge of the opposite potential to gather at the ground below. The attraction between positive and negative charges can grow strong enough to overcome the air's resistance to electrical flow. The cloud begins sending down charges called stepped leaders in the atmosphere. Charge from the ground then surges upward at nearly one-third the speed of light and we see a bright flash of lightning.
How to prepare yourself & your family
A properly installed lightning protection system will protect your home and family from lightning injury or damage, but here are some safety tips to follow:
Before Lightning Strikes...
o Keep an eye on the sky and look for darkening clouds, flashes of light, or increasing wind. Listen for the sound of thunder.
o If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Go to safe shelter immediately!
o Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for the latest forecasts.
When a Storm Approaches...
o Find shelter in a building or car. Keep car windows closed.
o Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Avoid using the telephone or any electrical appliances.
o Avoid taking a bath or shower, or running water for any other purpose.
If Caught Outside...
o If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately!
Protect Yourself Outside...
o Go to a low-lying, open place away from trees, poles, or metal objects.
o Make sure the place you pick is not subject to flooding
Be a Very Small Target!
o Squat low to the ground with your feet together. Place your hands on your knees with your head between them. Make yourself the smallest target possible.
o Do not lie flat on the ground...this will make you a larger target.
After the Storm Passes...
o Stay away from storm-damaged areas.
o Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
If Someone is Struck by Lightning...
o People struck by lightning carry no electrical charge and can be handled safely.
o Call for help. Get someone to dial 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number.
o The injured person has received an electrical shock and may be burned, both where they were struck and where the electricity left their body. Check for burns in both places.
o Give first aid. If breathing has stopped, begin rescue breathing. If the heart has stopped beating, a trained person should give CPR.
Learn First Aid and CPR
o Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR course. Call your local Red Cross chapter for class schedule.
Lightning Protection Systems. Even with the advances in lightning protection technology lightning strikes cannot always be prevented. A traditional lightning protection system provides a means to safely channel lightning to the ground. A properly installed lightning protection system is up to 99% effective in preventing lightning damage and it is a tried and true method that has been used for over 100 years. It will also prevent a house or structure from burning down in the event that a lightning strike does take place. Not only is structural damage eliminated but also valuable possessions, equipment, heirlooms, and most importantly the people inside are completely safe during otherwise threatening thunderstorms.
Lightning is an awesome and unpredictable act of nature. Lightning detection systems monitor an average of 25 million flashes of lightning from cloud to ground every year, and there is more than $2 billion damage annually in the United States from lightning strikes. This summer it is important to take action that can greatly reduce the risk of lightning death or injury and to diminish damage to property. Following the safety steps will provide suitable protection against harm, while properly installed lightning protection will protect families and valuable assets indoors. Lightning Safety Awareness week is June 21st through June 26th. To learn more about lightning safety and technology contact Beth Chittum and Alltec Corporation @ 828.646.9290 extension 41 or visit our website www.allteccorp.com.
