Shocking news about lightning
By Cheryl Borbey
State Farm® agent
Lightning brightens the sky and provides a spectacular display of Mother Nature’s power. This awesome
phenomenon also causes more deaths and property destruction in a typical year than floods, hurricanes
and tornadoes combined.
Don’t underestimate the dangers of lightning
The threat of lightning danger can occur anytime, but the most likely time for damaging thunderstorms is
June through August. The early spring is also a vulnerable period. Scientifically speaking, lightning is the
visible discharge of electrical energy. It is often accompanied by thunder, which is a sonic boom created
by the same electrical discharge. This electrical energy seeks a path to ground and that path can be your
home, a tree in your yard, or even you! The key to your protection is diverting that discharge to a grounding
path away from people and property. A lightning protection system has two objectives: Provide a direct path
for the lightning to follow to the ground and prevent destruction, damage, injury or death as it travels that
path.
Many of you are likely aware of lightning rods. Contrary to typical references to these devices, lightning
rods do not attract lightning. They also cannot prevent lightning from striking your home. What they are
designed to do is provide that safe path to the ground for the electrical current. Rods are just one part of an
effective lightning protection system. If you’re serious about lightning protection, State Farm recommends
you have a qualified contractor evaluate your home, explain the many parts of a total system and perform
the installation.
While lightning’s first target may be your house, there’s also a need to protect the property inside your
home from the electrical surges that accompany a lightning strike. Surge protection devices installed at the
main electrical panel or meter and at outlets serving electronics can often prevent these sudden spikes in
electrical current from damaging TVs, VCRs, computers and other expensive electronic devices.
Personal safety first
Most importantly, protect yourself. If lightning is present, seek shelter inside an enclosed building or vehicle,
stay away from electrical appliances and avoid using the telephone. If you cannot find shelter, stay close to
the ground in a low-lying area, avoiding isolated trees, high ground, bodies of water or large open areas. If
someone is injured, administer first aid if you are qualified to do so and call for emergency help. You cannot
be “shocked” by someone who has been hit by lighting.
For more information on this and other safety issues related to your home and family, please contact http://www.donpbaker.com/Home_Page.html.
By Cheryl Borbey
State Farm® agent
Lightning brightens the sky and provides a spectacular display of Mother Nature’s power. This awesome
phenomenon also causes more deaths and property destruction in a typical year than floods, hurricanes
and tornadoes combined.
Don’t underestimate the dangers of lightning
The threat of lightning danger can occur anytime, but the most likely time for damaging thunderstorms is
June through August. The early spring is also a vulnerable period. Scientifically speaking, lightning is the
visible discharge of electrical energy. It is often accompanied by thunder, which is a sonic boom created
by the same electrical discharge. This electrical energy seeks a path to ground and that path can be your
home, a tree in your yard, or even you! The key to your protection is diverting that discharge to a grounding
path away from people and property. A lightning protection system has two objectives: Provide a direct path
for the lightning to follow to the ground and prevent destruction, damage, injury or death as it travels that
path.
Many of you are likely aware of lightning rods. Contrary to typical references to these devices, lightning
rods do not attract lightning. They also cannot prevent lightning from striking your home. What they are
designed to do is provide that safe path to the ground for the electrical current. Rods are just one part of an
effective lightning protection system. If you’re serious about lightning protection, State Farm recommends
you have a qualified contractor evaluate your home, explain the many parts of a total system and perform
the installation.
While lightning’s first target may be your house, there’s also a need to protect the property inside your
home from the electrical surges that accompany a lightning strike. Surge protection devices installed at the
main electrical panel or meter and at outlets serving electronics can often prevent these sudden spikes in
electrical current from damaging TVs, VCRs, computers and other expensive electronic devices.
Personal safety first
Most importantly, protect yourself. If lightning is present, seek shelter inside an enclosed building or vehicle,
stay away from electrical appliances and avoid using the telephone. If you cannot find shelter, stay close to
the ground in a low-lying area, avoiding isolated trees, high ground, bodies of water or large open areas. If
someone is injured, administer first aid if you are qualified to do so and call for emergency help. You cannot
be “shocked” by someone who has been hit by lighting.
For more information on this and other safety issues related to your home and family, please contact http://www.donpbaker.com/Home_Page.html.