cA FETYSE \ VW\ VAY naA (| (ee (0 (>>>oo) a) A S| ENMOYUCQD)he, TL (NAPSA)—Afew tips could help keep you safe from oneof the most dangerous weather phenomenons: lightning strikes. Light- ning kills more people in the U.S. than any other weather hazard exceptflash floods. The Society CPCU offers these valuable tips to help protect yourself and your family from the hazards of lightning. INSURING Plan Ahead: YOUR SUCCESS Always check the weather forecast before head- ing to an outdoor activity. Know where you can quickly find safe cover should a storm approach. Safe Cover: Take cover in a metal-topped vehicle if it’s not possible to go inside a building. Don’t touch any metal parts of the vehicle during a lightning storm. Unsafe Cover: Avoid open sheds, tents, open boats, convertibles, temporary shelters; open areas like golf courses, athletic fields and tennis courts; lakes, swimming pools, seashores; iso- lated trees; high ground; open windowsor rooftops; places near wire fences, clotheslines, overhead wires, or railroad tracks. e Avoid using electrical appliances, telephones (except in emergencies), or plumbing fixtures such as showerheads or faucets during a storm. e Stay under cover until the danger passes. Lightning can strike even if there’s no rain. Remember, if you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Lightning Alert If your skin tingles or your hair stands on end, lightning is about to strike. Crouch on the balls of your feet. Place your hands on your knees and your head between them to make yourself the smallest target possible. DO NOTlie flat on the ground. Information The CPCU Society, the professional association for more than 26,000 CPCU-credentialed insurance industry professionals, offers information about light- ning (including the above tips) on its Web site: www.cpcusociety.org. TRUE OR FALSE? You can tell the distance to lightning by counting one second per mile between the flash and the thunder. FALSE.The soundof thundertravels about one mile in five seconds, but don’t rely on this method to staysafe. Lightning can strike at any timein threatening weather. If it isn’t raining, you don’t have to worry aboutlightning. FALSE.Lightningoften strikes outside of heavy rain and may occuras far as 10 miles from the nearest rainfall. Most people whoarekilled bylightning are killed at the peak of a storm’sintensity than during any other time. FALSE.Although a greater numberof lightning strikes may occur during the peak of a storm, more peopleare struck toward the start and end of a thunderstorm than at anyothertime. (From the Notional Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration) @
