![]() Although children are often scared of storms, you can explain that storms are a natural part of our planet’s weather.just like sunshine and rain. If you have kids, it’s important to teach them about thunderstorms at a very young age. When a storm starts, shutter your windows if possible, or at least close your blinds or curtains. Mobile homes can often blow over during strong winds, so seek a more stable shelter nearby. Unplug all electronic devices at the first indication that a storm is coming. Postpone any outdoor activities until after the storm has completely ended, because lightning often strikes before rain starts and after it lets up. Generally the safest place for you to go during a lightning storm is your own home or a safe building nearby if you are away from home. Finally, repair or replace faulty window, doors, or other parts of your home that may not be able to protect you during strong storms. Also, you should secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage. In your yard, it’s a good idea to trim trees and shrubs to make them more wind resistant. Contact your local fire department to discuss whether installing lightning rods on your building is a good idea. Homeowners may want to install these because provide a path of low-resistance from the sky to the ground and protect your home. Lightning rods are fixed metal rods or wires that are installed on an exposed part of a building to divert lightning to the ground. These are some of the most important items to place in your kit: Pack an emergency preparedness kit and place in in a location that everyone will remember. You should also create a list of items that you might need in this safe place during a storm. Identify the safest place in your home, on the lowest level away from doors and windows, for household members to gather during a storm. These are some things that you can do right now to prepare for potential storms. The first precautionary step you should take to prepare for an oncoming lightning storm or future lightning storms is to secure your home. Learn about your town’s warning system, and if your town doesn’t have one, talk to your mayor or city councilman.Īs a homeowner, it’s important to be prepared in your community and in your home so that you can devise an effective storm survival strategy. These days, many communities have emergency warning systems to alert residents about severe storms. Lightning also has the potential to cause devastating fires that completely wipe out homes, businesses, and people who stand in the path of destruction. According to the National Lightning Safety Institute, 30 percent of businesses suffer lightning losses, costing the U.S. Lightning damage affects both homeowners and business owners. alone, some estimates put lightning losses at over $2 billion in damages each year. The Gulf Coast has more lightning strikes than anywhere else in Texas however, the cities of Austin and Dallas see a similar number of lightning strikes each year. Parts of southeast Texas average 50 to 60 days with thunderstorms per year, which frequently occur in the late afternoon and early evening hours during summer. ![]() ![]() ![]() in 2010.īetween 20 there were 22 lightning fatalities in Texas, making it the second highest number after Florida, which had 46 fatalities. There were 29 lightning fatalities and 182 lightning injuries reported in the U.S. Nationwide, lightning strikes about 25 million times each year, and on average, lightning kills about 49 people each year in the U.S. ![]() Your best defense is to be prepared to protect yourself, your home and yard, and vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and the disabled. Lightning is unpredictable and can strike at any time of year during a variety of weather conditions. These facts make lightning particularly problematic for homeowners in thunderstorm-prone areas. A lightning bolt can reach temperatures of approximately 50,000-degrees Fahrenheit, which is five times hotter than the sun’s surface, and can travel at speeds up to 90,000 miles per second. Although lightning-related fatalities have declined over the past few decades, lightning still claims more lives than tornadoes or hurricanes each year. ![]()
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