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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service State College PA
552 AM EDT Fri Jun 28 2024

...PENNSYLVANIA LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK...

This week is Lightning Safety Awareness Week in Pennsylvania.

Todays topic: Lightning Safety Around the Home.

Although houses and other substantial building offer the best
protection from lightning, many homes across the united states are
struck by lightning each year. In fact, on average, lightning
causes about 4400 house fires and 1800 other structural fires each
year, some of which are deadly. All totaled, lightning causes
nearly 1 billion dollars in damages each year.

There are three main ways lightning enters homes and buildings.
First, a direct strike.
Second, through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure.
Third, through the ground.
Regardless of the method of entrance, once inside a structure the
lightning can travel through the electrical and phone wires, the
plumbing, or radio and television reception systems.

Indoor safety depends on avoiding contact with items that could
conduct lightning within the home.

Here are some indoor safety tips to follow when a thunderstorm is
in the area:

Don`t touch electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any
electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.

Stay off corded phones.

Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not take a bath or shower, wash
dishes, or do laundry.

Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.

In case your home is struck by lightning, evacuate your home
immediately if you smell smoke and call 9 1 1.

If possible, have the local fire department check for hot spots
in your walls with thermal imaging equipment.

Make sure all smoke detectors have power and are operating properly.

If needed, have a licensed electrician check the wiring in your
home.

We hope you have gained some valuable lightning safety information
through the week. Please share this information with your family,
friends and neighbors.

For additional information about lightning or lightning safety,
visit NOAA`s Lightning Safety Awareness web site at:
weather.gov/safety/lightning

$$