Lightning Losses Real, Yet Preventable

MARYVILLE, MO, Jun 16 (MARKET WIRE) --
Hurricanes and tornadoes receive the news coverage, but lightning is the
second leading cause of storm-related deaths, killing more people than
tornadoes or hurricanes, topped only by flooding. In addition, thousands
of properties are damaged or destroyed each year by lightning. A single
bolt of lightning can generate heat in excess of 50,000 degrees F which
can spark fires or cause surging through electrical circuitry. The
average cost of a homeowner insurance claim from a lightning strike has
more than doubled since 2004, rising to $5,321 in 2007, according to
statistics from the Insurance Information Institute (III).

Packing up to 100 million volts of electricity, a lightning strike to an
unprotected home or business can be disastrous, with lightning most often
igniting roofs, sidewalls, framing and electrical wires.

"The good news is most personal injury and property damage caused by
lightning can be prevented," says Leslie Chapman-Henderson, CEO and
president of the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc. -- FLASH.

"Home and business owners needn't take their chances with lightning,"
explains Bud VanSickle, executive director of the Lightning Protection
Institute (LPI). "A professionally-installed lightning protection system
which meets U.S. Safety Standards (LPI, NFPA and UL) will prevent
lightning damage by providing a safe electrical path into the earth for
lightning's destructive energy."

Lightning protection technology is a specialty discipline and expertise is
required for system design and installation. Systems for homes and
businesses should be installed by trained and experienced LPI-certified
and UL-listed specialists. FLASH and LPI offer these safeguards for
property owners seeking a qualified lightning protection specialist:

-- Make sure materials and methods comply with nationally-recognized
safety standards of the LPI, NFPA and UL.
-- Only an experienced and reputable UL-listed, LPI-certified lightning
protection contractors are qualified to install lightning protection
systems.
-- Check references. A qualified specialist should provide a list of
references and affiliation with industry groups such as NFPA, ULPA, LSA and
LPI.
-- Ask about surge protection. Lightning-induced surges can damage
electronics and appliances. A qualified lightning protection contractor
can provide options for service entrance arresters and surge protection
devices.
-- Experience counts. Be wary of start-up companies or contractors
offering a "price deal" to install, fix or repair your lightning
protection.
-- When in doubt, contact www.bbb.org to locate your local Better
Business Bureau to obtain reliability report information on a contractor
before you hire.

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes-FLASH(R), Inc. is a
501(c)(3) collaboration of organizations dedicated to strengthening homes
and safeguarding families from disaster. Based in Tallahassee, FLASH, is
the nation's fastest-growing disaster safety education organization with
more than 100 partners including FEMA, FL Division of Emergency
Management, Georgia Pacific, The Home Depot, International Code Council,
National Weather Service, Renaissance Reinsurance, Simpson Strong-Tie,
State Farm, USAA and WeatherPredict Consulting, Inc. To learn more about
FLASH and access free resources, visit www.flash.org call (877) 221-SAFE
(7233).

The LPI is not-for-profit, nationwide group founded in 1955 to promote
lightning safety, awareness and protection education. The organization
provides a certification program to qualify competence in lightning
protection installation, design and inspection. The LPI offers a list of
certified contractors across the U.S. Visit the LPI website at
www.lightning.org for more information about lightning protection.

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Contact:
Kim Loehr
LPI Marketing Communications Consultant
804-314-8955
kiml@lightning.org

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