National Lightning Safety Awareness Week

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week is June 24 to June 30. Summer is the peak season for one of the nation’s deadliest weather phenomena— lightning. But don’t be fooled, lightning strikes year round. In the United States an average of 54 people are reported killed each year by lightning. To date, there have been 4 deaths due to lightning in in the United States in 2012. Hundreds of people are permanently injured each year. People struck by lightning suffer from a variety of long-term, debilitating symptoms, including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, chronic pain, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression, and more. Lightning is a serious danger. The National Weather Service has developed a website which they hope will help everyone learn more about lightning risks and how to protect themselves, their loved ones and their belongings. As a start, get an overview of lightning safety at www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.