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Protecting Your Home and Family from Lightning
Lightning and related fires account for more than a quarter billion dollars
in property damage every year. If you live in a lightning-prone area,
here are some tips to help reduce the likelihood of loss or damage to
your property:
Property Protection
A number of specialty firms in your area can help you to design a protective
system to safeguard your home. Any system you choose should be in accordance
with guidelines set forth by groups such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and may include:
- Installation of lightning rods on your roof and on the trees surrounding
your home by an UL-listed company. This helps control and redirect the
lightning's damaging effects.
- Installation of voltage surge suppressors to limit the exposure of
electronic equipment to excessive voltage spurts.
- Installation of surge arrestors to help divert power surges along
utility lines away from source equipment.
Life Safety
Your chances of getting struck by lightning during a thunderstorm are extremely
small. Nevertheless, these precautions can reduce your risk even further:
- Get off high ground and away from tall trees.
- Avoid contact with all metal fences and other metal objects.
- If you are swimming or in a boat, head for the shore at once.
- Never ride a horse or a bicycle in a thunderstorm. If you are driving,
stay in your car. It is one of the safest places to be in a thunderstorm.
- Lightning may enter a house through anything that conducts electricity.
Do not handle electrical appliances during a storm and stay away from
the plumbing system. It is also not advisable to use the telephone during
a thunderstorm.
This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this document.
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