Great Hurricane Blowout Sweepstakes Awards LPI-Certified Lightning Protection System to N.C. Homeowner

MARYVILLE, Mo., Sept. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) and the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) have named the winner of the Great Hurricane Blowout July Sweepstakes Contest where individuals from states across the country entered a drawing for a chance to win a home lightning protection system valued at $4,000. The contest which ran from July 1 through July 31, received over 400 entries as part of a series of sweepstakes offered this hurricane season through the Great Hurricane Blowout preparedness and social media campaign.

The individual winner, Trip McClendon of Tabor City, N.C. was awarded a voucher redeemable for a home lightning protection system featuring UL-listed materials furnished by East Coast Lightning Equipment (ECLE) and LPI-certified installation.

Lightning associated with thunderstorms and hurricanes can pose a variety of fire hazards.  A lightning protection system is designed to control a lightning strike on a specified path, eliminating the chance of fire.  A lightning protection system cannot prevent lightning from striking, but it can provide a conductive path to direct the harmful electrical current to the ground.  

"LPI's sponsorship of this sweepstakes has helped spread awareness and further education about the dangers of lightning, an underrated and often forgotten weather hazard," said Leslie Chapman-Henderson, FLASH president/CEO.  "Outreach with like-minded partners helps FLASH pool resources accordingly and make a difference in expanding safety and preparedness messages."

"Hurricane season is a perfect time to remind homeowners about the dangers of lightning and provide the public with information to help protect families and property," said Bud VanSickle, LPI executive director.  "Lightning protection systems can provide peace of mind for homeowners who want to prepare their property against this unpredictable, yet common hazard."

Sponsored by Kohler Power Systems and State Farm, the Blowout campaign encourages use of proven hurricane preparedness tools such as family plans, emergency kits and tips for making structurally stronger homes.  Families can visit the Blowout at http://www.greathurricaneblowout.org for a full timeline of Blowout events, useful information about hurricane preparedness and sweepstakes information.

FLASH and LPI are two nonprofit organizations that are dedicated to strengthening homes and safeguarding families from lightning.  Both organizations feature educational resources such as brochures and short videos about lightning protection loss prevention and home lightning safety on their websites.  

FLASH is a 501 © (3) collaboration of organizations dedicated to strengthening homes and safeguarding families from disaster.  Based in Tallahassee, FLASH is the nation's fastest-growing disaster safety education organization with more than 100 partners including FEMA, FL Division of Emergency Management, the Home Depot, International Code Council, National Weather Service, Renaissance Reinsurance, Simpson Strong-Tie, State Farm, USAA and WeatherPredict Consulting, Inc.  To learn more about FLASH visit www.flash.org call (877) 221-SAFE (7233).  

Kohler Power Systems is a division of Kohler Co., and provides complete power systems, including generators (residential, industrial, mobile and marine), automatic transfer switches, switchgear, monitoring controls, and accessories for emergency, prime power and energy-management applications.  Kohler Power Systems has delivered energy solutions for markets worldwide since 1920.  For more information, visit www.kohlerpower.com.

LPI is a not-for-profit, nationwide group founded in 1955 to promote lightning safety, awareness and protection education.  The organization provides a certification program to qualify competence in lightning protection installation, design and inspection.  Visit the LPI website at www.lightning.org for more information.  

SOURCE Lightning Safety Alliance