Cornerstone wishes all a happy 4th of July holiday weekend! Before enjoying the outdoor festivities and fireworks, please review these recommended safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety:

Picturesque displays of lightning can be highly captivating to the casual onlooker but in reality these forces can bring up to and over a million volts of electricity. Lightning, along with its visual beauty, brings extreme inconsistency as to where it will strike next. While it is probably not widely acknowledged, lightning is indeed the most menacing and frequently encountered weather hazard that most people encounter each year.  A direct strike can not only tear through roofs and ignite fires but a secondary strike can potentially hit a nearby tree or power line producing structural damage and causing unwanted surges into your home respectively. Additionally, lightning strikes are the number one cause of damage to submerged well pumps. Lightning can also create havoc on appliances and electronics in your home, which, along with structural damage, can prove to be costly. 

Atlantic Hurricane Season 2017; Being Prepared

When an emergency occurs, it’s only human nature to start panicking ― however, panicking is the worst thing to do in an emergency situation. Your safety is heavily reliant on your decisions, responses, and actions at this time. Although most emergency situations occur when you least expect them, it’s important to be prepared and have a plan to take action to avoid going into panic mode.

Be Informed

• WHAT EMERGENCY? Find out what kinds of disasters are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified.
• WATCH/LISTEN/CONNECT Watch TV, listen to the radio or check online often for updates or official instructions as they become available.
• STAY/EVACUATE Plan for both possibilities. In the event, use available information and common sense to determine if there is immediate danger and act accordingly.