With the Atlantic Hurricane Season in full swing through November, the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) and the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) are working to spread awareness of a less recognized, yet more frequent weather hazard: lightning. According to new data compiled by Impact Forecasting and released by the Insurance Information Institute (III), U.S. insurance and reinsurance markets saw record costs from thunderstorms and convective weather; with 5.7 billion losses cited in the first-quarter of 2017.
“Lightning is a real danger to you, your home, and your electronics that many people don’t take seriously,” said ESFI President, Brett Brenner. “A single bolt of lightning can cause electrical surges capable of damaging or destroying sensitive equipment. Luckily, you can prepare your home and protect your electronics from this unpredictable, yet common hazard.”