Lightning Rules
By Jeffrey M. Nocera
 Do you know what weather phenomenon kills more Americans than hurricanes and tornadoes? Lightning.
Lightning kills an average of 80 people every year and injures 300, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service. Beyond the human casualties, lightning strikes cause plenty of property damage. Although the overall amount of lightning-related property claims has decreased, the total cost of filed claims for lightning has risen over 25% in the last 5 years. The main culprit? The vast amount of electronics and gadgetry we just can’t live without..Or we’re told we can’t.
Flat-screen, plasma tv’s, cell phones, iPads, and everything else we now have attached to us 24-7 and requires either direct electricity or time on a charger, are all costly to replace after a lightning strike fries them like McD’s food. While the odds of a person being struck by lightning are about 1 in 600,000, some facts to keep in mind are worthwhile: Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors during the summer months, primarily in the afternoon and early evening. Lightning seeks the path of least resistance. If you are taller than your surroundings, or are standing next to a tall object (such as a tree), you are a prime target for a lightning strike.
Regarding your home, installing a lightning protection system can greatly assist and prevent damage. These systems include slender roof rods installed at consistent spacing, a conductor or transport line, and a ground-based termination rod. Basically, lightning is being drawn in for the purposes of directing it away from property. Contact a local electrician or mechanical contractor for details.
Information provided by Jeffrey M. Nocera, Proprietor of ProHome Asset Inventory. Visit our website or contact us below.
About the Author
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| Jeffrey M. Nocera, ProHome Asset
3820 Carter Road
Bethlehem, PA 18020
610-317-0968
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