Nine Ways to Keep You Safely Covered From Lightning Risks

Well, what do you know?! The northeastern states of the US just experienced a thunder and snow storm that brought on lightning.

The combo of natural forces is a very rare occurrence that can have serious consequences on homeowners and commercial property owners in terms of damages. Moreover, any time of the year when lightning flashes its electric streaks from heaven to earth it can bring danger to humans and wildlife.

According to scientific definitions, lightning is Mother Nature's flare of electricity that occurs between a cloud or clouds and the earth in midst of a thunderstorm. Lightning is not to be taken lightly. It is a potent killer, striking down about sixty people across the United States annually. Moreover, lightning can reach fifty thousand degrees Fahrenheit, empowering it to spark home and commercial property fires if it strikes an appropriately flammable target.

Thankfully for the homeowner, the majority of standard home insurance policies do cover the damages that occur from a lightning strike. Auto damage is another story though. As for any vehicular damages occurring as a result of a lightning strike, both liability and collision insurance will not cover the losses. It is only a comprehensive auto policy that will reimburse you for the lightning damages.

10 Ways to Keep Away from a Lightning Strike's Danger

Should you be caught in a thunderstorm while you are outdoors, do the following as soon as possible:

• Get inside a building that is safe for occupancy. 

• Get inside a vehicle. 

• If you are not able to get into a safe shelter, minimize your risks by staying out of an open field, getting away from the top of a hill, staying clear of tall trees standing alone and not touching water or wet things, particularly roping and metal objects.

If you are inside a home or building during the storm:

• Do not touch phones that are connected to a cord. 

• Do not touch electrical devices like computers or TVs or cords. 

• Do not use your water taps for anything like handwashing, dish washing. 

• Do not shower or bathe. 

• Stay clear of all windows, doors, porches and metal pipes. 

• Do not touch of concrete floors, walls and surfaces. 

• Wait at least thirty minutes prior to leaving the building following the storm.

If you happen to be inside a car during the storm, pull over to the side and stop, switch on your hazard lights, turn off the car, don't touch anything metal inside the vehicle. Even if the thunder has stopped, do not proceed until thirty minutes after any sound of thunder.

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