Non-profits Share Top Five Lightning Protection and Lightning Safety Awareness Success Stories of 2013

HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 2013, two non-profits, the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) and the Lightning Safety Alliance (LSA) expanded their commitment to lightning safety education through outreach efforts with like-minded partners.  

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140109/DC43399 )

"Partnership is the fuel that helps nonprofits, like LPI and LSA provide educational programs and public service campaigns," said Bud VanSickle, executive director for LPI. "Alliances with industry members and like-minded partners from groups such as FLASH, IBHS, I.I.I., NFPA and NOAA were instrumental in helping our organization provide more resources in 2013 than ever before."

"NOAA started the lightning safety awareness campaign in 2001 and has led the effort," said Mark Morgan, spokesperson for the LSA.  "In recent years, LPI and LSA have been honored to help promote lightning safety through PSA's and educational programs and by helping to create 'Leon the Lightning Safety Lion,' the industry's adopted mascot.  There is still much work to be done, but there are many noteworthy success stories," added Morgan.

LPI and LSA's top five picks for lightning protection and lightning safety awareness success stories of 2013 are as follows:

1.   New Record for Fewest Lightning Deaths in the U.S. - According to NOAA, the lightning death toll of 23 in 2013 set a new record for the fewest lightning deaths in a year.  The previous low recorded by NOAA was 26 deaths in 2011 compared with the deadliest year for lightning strikes in 1943 when 432 Americans were struck and killed.  See www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov for more information.

2.   Building Lightning Safe Communities Campaign – Through the generous support of LPI member companies, this campaign provided $100,000 in lightning protection system donations to help protect vulnerable fire stations. See www.lightningsafe.org for information and campaign details.

3.   "Safer Design for Safer Play" Scores a Home Run -  LPI and LSA's partnership  initiative promoted lightning safety and provided educational resources for outdoor facilities such as theme parks, golf courses, open air venues and stadiums. (LPI, meteorologists and Red Sox fans teamed up to promote lightning safety at Fenway Park last June.)  See www.lightning-risk.org for more information about the initiative.

4.   Tax Incentives for Lightning Protection Preparedness – The "Disaster Savings Accounts Act of 2013" (HR-3298) proposes tax-free disaster preparedness for homeowners to deduct up to $5,000 per year for weather mitigation against natural disaster risks, including lightning. See http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/proposed-disaster-savings-measure-provides-incentives-for-homeowners-to-safeguard-their-property-235414201.html or http://www.lightning.org/2013/mitigation-call-to-action-support-the-disaster-savings-accounts-act-of-2013/ for more information.

5.   Lightning Safety Efforts Win National Awards – LPI public service and PR efforts received recognition from the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) last summer.  LPI communications director, Kim Loehr, accepted communications contest awards in four categories at the NFPW annual conference in Salt Lake City on August 24, 2013. See www.nfpw.org for contest information.

The Lightning Safety Alliance (LSA) is a non-profit, national league of lightning protection professionals and consumers dedicated to the promotion of lightning protection and lightning safety.  Visit the LSA website at www.lightningsafetyalliance.org for more information.

The Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) is a not-for-profit nationwide group founded in 1955 to promote lightning safety, awareness and education and is a leading resource for lightning protection information and system requirements.  Visit the LPI website at www.lightning.org for more information.

SOURCE Lightning Safety Alliance