National Lightning Safety Awareness Week this June 19-25th

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

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Celebrate National Lightning Safety Awareness Week this June 19-25th. It started back in 2001 to call attention to lightning being such an underrated killer. Since then, U.S. lightning fatalities have dropped from about 55 per year to less than 30. This reduction is largely due to greater awareness and people seeking proper safety when thunderstorms threaten. During National Lightning Safety Awareness Week this year, it is encouraged that you learn more about it and how to stay safe!

One solution to keep your home safe from lightning are lightning rods. Lightning rods (and the accompanying protection system) are designed to protect a house or building from a direct lightning strike and, in particular, a lightning-initiated fi re. It's important to note that lightning protection systems do not prevent lightning from striking a structure, but rather intercepts a lightning strike, providing a conductive path for the harmful electrical discharge to follow and disperse the energy safely into the ground. These components must be properly connected (bonded) to minimize the chances for any sparks or side flashes to occur. While lightning rods protect a structure from a direct lightning strike, a complete protection system is needed to help prevent harmful electrical surges and possible fi res caused by lightning entering a structure via wires and pipes. Lightning protection may also be needed for gas piping.

There are three main ways lightning can enter a structure: a direct strike, through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure or through the ground. Once in a structure, lightning can travel the electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio/television reception systems. Lightning can also travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. Learn more about how you can protect your home or property today.