U.S. Census Bureau Daily Feature for June 20

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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MONDAY, JUNE 20: LIGHTNING SAFETY WEEK

Profile America — Monday, June 20th.  One of nature's displays of power brings out an almost universal fear — lightning.  As it blazes across the sky, accompanied with thunderous booms, it makes most people feel vulnerable and helpless.  While not much can be done to lessen the fear, there are some common sense steps we can take to lessen the potential danger.  That's why this is Lightning Safety Awareness Week, sponsored by the National Weather Service.  The goal is to educate people about the danger of lightning and to reduce the number of deaths caused by strikes each year.  Nationally, deaths from lightning average up to 40 annually, but have  reached 80 or more.  You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2011, p. 327

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2011, t. 384

Profile America is produced by the Public Information Office of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).  

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau