National Lightning Safety Awareness Week June 18th – 24th

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week takes place this year, June 18^th – 24^th. As one of Florida’s largest and oldest professional lightning and surge protection specialists, Bonded Lightning uses the occasion to remind Florida’s residents of the serious danger lightning presents. With more than 3,500 strikes per day during Florida’s peak rainy season, the lightning danger is clear, present and frequent. Bonded Lightning President Patrick Dillon commented, “This is the perfect time to remind Floridians to be vigilant about protecting their personal safety, their pets and livestock, their property and technology assets and infrastructure, at home and in their places of work.”

Begun in 2001, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week draws attention to what the National Lightning Safety Council calls this “underrated killer.” The Council recognizes National Lightning Safety Awareness Week as a unique opportunity to provide the public with safety information about lightning. The Council encourages every Floridian to visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (“NOAA”) comprehensive lightning safety website to learn more about lightning and lightning safety at www.ncdc.noaa.gov.

Since National Lightning Safety Week began, U.S. fatalities have dropped from 50 per year to about 30. The reduction in fatalities is largely due to greater awareness of lightning danger and people heeding good advice to seek shelter and safety when thunderstorms threaten. Patrick Dillon commented, “The data proves taking appropriate precautions saves lives.” A professional lightning protection system remains the single best way to protect commercial and residential properties. “For building owners, this is a risk management issue.” Dillon continued, “Information technology is a big consideration. These digital assets are tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Protecting them is a critical issue for every business.” At less than 1% of the total construction cost of both commercial and residential projects, lightning protection is an economically responsible undertaking.

Lightning makes every, single thunderstorm a potential killer whether the storm produces one single bolt or ten thousand bolts, so have a lightning safety plan. Bonded Lightning Protection advises residents to check weather forecasts daily. Cancel or postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms develop or threaten.