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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Lightning and Thunderstorm Safety Precautions

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Here at SERVORO of Edmonds we have learned to expect the unexpected. No one plans to a kitchen fire, a toilet overflow or flooded crawl space, but ‘surprise!’ – it happens every day. While lighting and thunder in the Pacific Northwest is not as prevalent as some other regions it can certainly happen which is why we should always be prepared to make the right choices when we could be at risk during a storm.

Although the odds of being struck by lightning are less than one in 1,000,000 some factors can put you at greater risk. People who work outside or engage in outdoor recreational activities are more susceptible. Imagine you are going on a hike in the woods, rafting on a river or golfing; would you know what to do if lightning struck? What if you work on utility poles, for the forest service or in sewer lines; does your company follow proper precautions and safety guidelines? Regional and seasonal differences can heighten or lower the risk of getting injured by lightning.

In 2018 Florida and Tennessee had the most lightning related deaths and Florida is considered the worst with over 2,000 injuries in the past 50 years. During 2006-2018 lightning caused an average of 30 deaths per year in the United States. 

You can protect yourself from risk by taking the following precautions;

  • If weather forecast calls for thunderstorms postpone your trip or activity
  • “When thunder roars go indoors” – Find a safe, enclosed shelter
  • Suspend activity for atm least 30 minutes after the last ‘clap’ of lightning to be sure it has passed
  • If no shelter is available crouch low with as little of your body touching the ground as possible. Lightning causes electrical currents on the top of the ground which can be deadly up to 100 feet away.

If your home or business retains structure damage from lightning call SERVPRO of Edmonds to help you clean up and repair the aftermath; we can be reached at 425-775-5723. For more emergency about preparedness follow our Facebook page for tips here.

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