We have just concluded a wet July that featured numerous thunderstorms and of course lightning strikes. This past July we had 26 thunderstorm days compared to 22 thunderstorm days for July of 2014.
Three homes have been struck by lightning which caused a fire and these homes are uninhabitable until repairs are completed. This brings to six the number homes significantly damaged by lightning in the last 14 months. We have seen a number of close calls where lightning struck and put a hole in the roof, but fortunately did not start a fire. None had a lightning protection system commonly called lightning rods.
The probability of your home being struck is very low but the severity could be very high. For peace of mind you could consider a lightning protection system. If you do solicit bids only consider firms that are listed by both Underwriters Laboratories and the Lightning Protection Institute. Door-to-door solicitors offer low-ball prices but they will not meet UL or LPI criteria. They may try to tell you that they use UL components but that is NOT the same as the firm being listed by UL. Buyer Beware!
There also have been several indirect strikes where lightning induced surges entered the home via electric, cable, or telephone lines and damaged appliances and electronic equipment. Today’s electronics are susceptible to even relatively minor surges causing them to fail. One homeowner experienced $5,000 in electronic damage. A repair service firm reported an unusual number of service calls to repair motorized recliners and sofas that were damaged by lightning induced surges. To protect against electrical surge damage install both primary surge protection at your electric meter or main electric panel and secondary surge protection, (also called point-of-use) at the plug in connections to appliances and high-valued electronic equipment.
Homeowners who are concerned with their lightning risk living here in the Lightning Capital of the US may wish to enroll in the Lifelong Learning College’s course, Lightning Tips for Villagers, that addresses personal lightning safety, lightning protection systems, surge protection, corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) gas pipe, and debunking common myths about lightning. This is a non-commercial educational class and the instructors are not paid for their community service. Check the Lifelong Learning College Catalog to enroll in the next scheduled class on Aug. 27. Lightning Tips for Villagers is also available to Village clubs, civic, and church groups at no charge. Contact Len Hathaway at LHATHA@AOL.COM or Bob Freeman at STALIT1@AOL.COM.
Len Hathaway is a Villager.
