Did you know that nearly 100 people in the U.S. die each year from being struck by lightning? This accounts for more deaths than occur during natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Lightning often precedes rain and can strike as far as 10 miles away from the rainfall.

The Center for Disease Control encourages persons who work in an environment susceptible to lightning strikes to protect themselves from deadly bolts of lightning by following these tips:

• Monitor weather forecasts during the thunderstorm season.
• Remember that lightning is present in all thunderstorms.
• Seek shelter immediately when thunder is heard. Avoid trees or tall objects, high ground, water, open spaces and metal objects such as tools, fences and umbrellas.
• Shut off appliances and electronic devices when indoors and avoid using the telephone.
• Inspect the grounding electrode system for loose or corroded connections, which can increase the impedance of a lightning dissipation path -- the grounding system for the electrical system to a building
• Provide surge protection at the main service panel board or junction box to prevent line surges from traveling to equipment 

If you’re caught in a thunderstorm while in your vehicle, you should be safe from lightning strikes since the vehicle’s rubber tires are nonconductive.

For additional information or to schedule FREE safety programs for your employees, call CPS Energy at (210) 353-2970.