Protect Your Property and Residents from Lightning
Monday, July 26, 2010 at 3:47PM Lightning and related fires account for more than a quarter billion dollars in property damage every year. Here are some tips to help reduce the likelihood of a loss or damage to your property:
Property Protection
A number of specialty firms in your area can help you design a protective system to install on your property and safeguard it. Any system you choose should comply with the guidelines set forth by groups such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or the National Fire Protection Association (NFA) and may include:
- Installation of lightning rods on your roof and/or on the trees surrounding your property. 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.
Personal Protection
Your chances of getting struck by lightning during a thunderstorm are extremely limited, but these precautions can reduce your risk even further:
- Get off high ground and away from trees.
- Avoid contact with metal fences and other metal objects.
- Head for the shore at once if you are swimming or in a boat.
- Never ride a horse or a bicycle in a thunderstorm. If you are driving, stay inside your car. It is one of the safest places to be during a thunderstorm.
- Lightning may enter a residential property 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 courtesy of Chubb Insurance and is advisory in nature.
Beth |
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