June 19th - 25th is Lightning Safety Awareness Week in the State of Illinois. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has prepared a Lightning Safety Awareness Guide Book containing safety tips, facts about lightning as well as best practices. There are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning flashes each year in the United States, nearly 750,000 of which occur in Illinois alone. Lightning can be fascinating to watch, but it is also extremely dangerous! Few people really understand the dangers of lightning. Many people don’t act promptly to protect their lives, property and the lives of others. The first step in solving this potentially life threatening problem is through education.

Click here to view the Lightning Safety Awareness Guide Book