ATD Insurance

As the weather continues to warm up across the country, severe storms - such as tornadoes, flash floods, and thunderstorms - will become more likely. Of these forms of severe weather, lightning often gets the least attention. But did you know that over the last 30 years, lightning strikes have claimed as many lives as tornadoes According to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there are an estimated 25 million lightning strikes every year. An average of 62 people have died per year due to lightning strikes since 1978, and many more times that are injured from strikes.

Myths abound regarding lightning strikes and the best way to protect yourself should you be caught in a thunderstorm. Read the following items, courtesy of NOAA, to remind yourself how to stay safe this spring.

Myth - Lightning never strikes the same place twice

Fact - Lightning often strikes the same place twice, especially if it's a tall, pointy object. The Empire State building is struck nearly 25 times per year!

Myth - If clouds aren't over my head and it isn't raining, lightning poses no threat to me.

Fact - Lightning often strikes more than three miles outside from the thunderstorm and has been known to travel as far as 10-15 miles before striking the ground.

Myth - "Heat lightning" occurs after a very hot summer day and poses no threat

Fact - "Heat lightning" is just a term used to describe lightning from a thunderstorm too far away to be heard

Home Fires are always a difficult ordeal to get through, no matter the size and scope of the damage. But the true tragedy is when a fire causes injuries or even fatalities to loved ones. Thanks to leaps in fire prevention technology and ever-vigilant firefighters, the United States has seen a dramatic decline in fire-related deaths over the past two decades. As smoke alarms and fire extinguishers become more prevalent in homes, residents have survived home fires at an increased rate.

However, two of the greatest prevention tools continues to be two of the simplest solutions: education and preparation. Merely teaching the members of your household what to do in case of a fire will increase your chances of surviving a fire unscathed. In particular, children need to be educated about the dangers of fire, as children under the age of five are twice as likely as the rest of us to die in a fire.

Make it a priority to set aside a night to talk to the members of your household about fire safety. Many children are curious about fire and don't realize the risk it poses. Consider bringing up the following talking points in a calm but firm tone of voice:

• Explain to the young ones in your family matches and lighters are tools for adults only, and to alert an adult if these tools are lying around the house.
• Always store matches and lighters out of sight and reach of young children
• Do not use lighters, candles or matches as a source of amusement. Children often imitate the action of their parents.
• Remember, no lighter is child-proof! Some are merely child-resistant.
• Teach your children what your fire alarm sounds like, and walk them through the escape plan several times per year.
• Establish a safe meeting place outside your home, and teach children to take nothing with them and to never go back inside.