LIGHTNING PROTECTION

If you don’t take thunderstorms and lightning seriously, you should – especially if you or a member of your family work outside or enjoy outdoor recreation. Learn and follow these recommendations to improve your defenses against being another lightning statistic.

Outdoor risks:

• If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning. Go to a safe shelter immediately.
• If you are boating or swimming, get to land and find shelter immediately.
• Seek shelter in a building or a car. Keep car windows closed and avoid convertibles. If you are in the woods and cannot reach a shelter, take refuge under the shorter trees.
• If you are in an open field and cannot get indoors, make yourself the smallest target possible. Stay away from solitary trees or clusters of trees, poles or metal objects. Squat low to the ground and curl up in a ball. Do not lie flat on the ground; that increases the potential to conduct electricity to the ground.
• Exercise caution with personal electronic devices such as iPods or MP3 players as they can increase the potential for conductivity.

Indoor risks:

• Telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances. Avoid using standard telephones with cords (cordless and cellular phones are much safer during a lightning storm) or any electrical appliances. Leaving lights on, however, does not increase the chances of your home being struck by lightning.
• Avoid taking a bath or shower, washing dishes in the sink or running water for other purposes.
• Turn off the air conditioner and computer. Power surges from lightning can cause damage and require a costly repair. (Consider using surge suppressors on individual circuits or the main power line entering your home.
• If any recent work has been done on the electric or plumbing systems, obtain verification that the house’s electric grounding and bonding system haven’t been disturbed.  If there is any question, have a licensed electrician confirm the system is installed and intact.
• If your gas supply system consists of Corrugated-Stainless Steel Tubing (typically yellow or black wrapped semi-flexible  piping) and the system hasn’t been checked for proper bonding and grounding, have it checked by a licensed electrician, especially in a high risk lightning strike area like the south east U.S. 

First-aid if needed:

• People struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely.
• If someone is struck, first call for emergency aid, then provide first aid.
• If the heart has stopped, a trained person should give CPR. If the victim has a pulse and is breathing, look for and treat other injuries.

Lightning’s intense electrical charge may cause a victim to be burned, particularly where the charge entered and exited his or her body.

Note: These tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com. Call 770.998.6700  or visit www.hmainspect.com to schedule a Home Inspection