Tag: thunderstorm and lightning season
Lightning Safety Week
by admin on Jun.21, 2010, under Real Estate
Good time to stop and think about lightning – and what it can do…
The National Weather Service has declared the week of June 21nd through June 25th lightning safety week.
During the past 30 years… lightning has killed an average
of 73 people per year in the United States based on documented
cases. This is more than tornadoes and hurricanes.
However… because lightning usually claims only one or two victims
at a time… and because lightning does not cause the mass
destruction left in the wake of tornadoes or hurricanes… lightning
generally receives much less attention than the more destructive
storm related killers. Documented lightning injuries in the United
States average about 300 per year… however… undocumented injuries
caused by lightning are likely much higher.
While many individuals think they are aware of the dangers of
lightning… the vast majority underestimate its deadly potential.
This lack of understanding with regard to the dangers of lightning
continues to be a significant problem in North Carolina. Many
people do not act to protect their lives… their property… and the
lives of others in a timely manner simply because they do not
understand all the dangers associated with thunderstorms and
lightning. This lack of knowledge can lead to very tragic
consequences.
While virtually all people take some protective actions during the
most dangerous part of thunderstorms… many leave themselves
vulnerable to being struck by lightning as thunderstorms approach…
depart… or are nearby. Lightning can strike as much as 10 miles or
more away from the rain area of a thunderstorm. If you hear the
thunder, chances are that you are within striking distance of that
storm.
Inside homes… it is important to activities which put you at risk
from a possible lightning strike. In particular… stay away from
windows and doors and avoid contact with anything that conducts
electricity. You will also want to take certain actions well before
the storm threatens… in order to protect property within your
home… such as electronic equipment.
Finally… in the unfortunate event that a person is struck by
lightning… medical care may be needed immediately to save the
person’s life. Cardiac arrest… Burns… and nerve damage are common
in cases where individuals are struck by lightning. However… with
proper treatment… including c. P. R. If necessary… most victims
survive a lightning strike… .although the long term effects on
their lives and the lives of family members can be devastating.
