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Safety Tip


If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Look for shelter inside a home, large building, or a hard-topped vehicle right away. Read all of NFPA's lightning safety tips and download our free safety tip sheet.

LightningStrikes

Fires started by lightning peak in the summer months and in the late
afternoon and early evening.

Facts & figures
  • During 2007-2011, U.S. local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 22,600 fires per year that were started by lightning. These fires caused an average of nine civilian deaths, 53 civilian injuries, and $451 million in direct property damage per year.
  • Only 19% of reported lightning fires occurred in homes, but these accounted for 86% of the associated lightning fire civilian deaths, 76% of the associated injuries and 68% of the direct property damage.
  • Almost two-thirds of the lightning fires reported to local fire departments were outside vegetation fires.  
Source: NFPA's "Lightning Fires and Lightning Strikes" report by Ben Evarts, June 2013


NFPA's Lisa Braxton says following some simple safety tips can greatly reduce the risk of being struck by lightning.

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