Farm Bureau Financial Services Recognizes Lightning Awareness Week

Farm Bureau Financial Services urges everyone to learn more about thunderstorm safety during National Lightning Awareness Week, June 22-28. FBFS is providing safety tips and reminding everyone the only safe place to be during a lightning event is indoors.

Although thunderstorms happen throughout the year, they tend to happen most often in the spring and summer. As you move your activities outdoors, keep in mind lightning can extend between 6-10 miles from the base of a thunderstorm. A few precautions can significantly reduce your risk of being struck by lightning.

Be Prepared.

• Check the weather.
• Know where to take shelter and give yourself enough time to get there safely.
• Have a severe weather plan and communicate it.

Get Indoors.

• Find appropriate shelter. Porches, dugouts, rain shelters and sheds are not safe from lightning strikes.
• A metal vehicle with a hard top provides safe protection. Keep the windows and doors closed.
• Do not touch or unplug electrical items during a storm. This includes corded phones.
• Avoid plumbing including washing your hands, taking a shower or washing dishes.
• Resume activities at least 30 minutes after the last lightning event. Electrical charges can remain in clouds after a thunderstorm.

For additional safety tips and facts, watch the FBFS Lightning and Storm Awareness video on YouTube or visit the FBFS online learning center Tips, Tools and Resources page.

About Farm Bureau Financial Services
Through an exclusive, multi-state agent force, the companies affiliated with the Farm Bureau Financial Services brand underwrite, market and distribute a broad range of insurance and financial services products to individuals and businesses. Learn more about us by visiting www.fbfs.com. Or, visit us at www.facebook.com/farmbureaufinancialservices, www.twitter.com/fbfs or www.youtube.com/FarmBureauFinclSvcs.