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State Farm® Releases 2016 Claim Numbers
Jackson, MS – June 21, 2017 – The state of Mississippi remains an active state for devastating lightning strikes. In 2016 State Farm® paid $18.4 million dollars on 2,396 lightning related claims across the state. The average claim cost $7,688. State Farm is releasing the state specific lightning claim numbers to raise awareness of National Lightning Safety Awareness Week which is June 18 – 24, 2017. “Lightning strikes are a threat to both property and people,” says State Farm spokesman Roszell Gadson. “But there are things you can do to reduce risk.”
Protect yourself
Go indoors at the first sign of a storm.
Invest in home lightning protection .
Avoid touching electronics or anything with a cord, such as your phone.
Stay away from water sources, including pipes, sinks and showers.
Do not stand or lean on concrete structures.
Seek shelter in a hard-top vehicle if you’re stuck outside.
If you’re outside and shelter isn’t available, crouch down at least 100 feet from tall objects, tuck your head in and cover your ears.
Protect Your Home or Business
For protection from lightning strikes in the general area of your home or an externally produced surge, a whole-house surge protector is the best starting point for reducing the risk of damage or a fire.
Install additional protection for important or expensive electronic equipment. This should include localized surge protection for power cords to the electronic equipment and any telephone and cable/satellite TV lines connecting to the equipment.
Make sure all equipment is UL-listed and properly labeled.
Lightning protection systems are designed to protect a structure and provide a specified path to harness and safely ground the super-charged current of the lightning bolt. The system neither attracts nor repels a strike, but receives the strike and routes it harmlessly into the earth, thus discharging the dangerous electrical event. Be sure the lightning protection system is designed and installed in accordance with accepted industry standards.
