Paul Dreher Director of Personal Insurance View Bio

7 Lightning Safety Tips for Homeowners

Summertime brings thunderstorm activity throughout much of the U.S., so we’re kicking off the storm season by observing National Lightning Awareness Week from June 22 to 28. To protect your house and family in case of electrical storm, here are seven basic safety tips:

  • Unplug electronics during a storm: If your home is struck by lightning, the charge will seek out the fastest route to the ground. Often it will travel through your wiring or plumbing system, and this electrical surge can destroy delicate devices. These days, even washing machines may have computerized components that are susceptible to damage
  • Don’t run water: Plumbing systems and water itself are good conductors of electricity, so being in the shower or even washing your hands can be dangerous in a direct lightning strike
  • Avoid walking barefoot on the ground: Lightning can travel through damp earth and concrete, and you don’t want your skin in direct contact with that surface. Wear shoes on patios, in the basement or outside — or better yet, stay inside your home until the storm has passed
  • Keep clear of metal windows: Metal conducts electricity, and standing by metal windows can be dangerous in case of a lightning strike to your house
  • Check for fire immediately: If your house is hit by lightning, you’ll hear a loud boom and you may feel a shock wave. After this event, you should carefully check your attic and roof for any sign of fire. If you smell smoke, call the fire department right away, because lightning can ignite fires inside your walls
  • Examine your house for structural damage: The shock wave from a lightning strike can cause breakage in walls, masonry and roofing. Be sure to inspect your home in the event of a strike
  • Consider a lightning protection system: If you live in an area subject to frequent thunderstorms, you may want to invest in a professionally installed protection system. This should include a network of rods, cables and surge arrestors certified by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). These systems aren’t guaranteed effective, but they greatly decrease your chances of a house fire. Lightning protection systems on older homes may need updating, to ensure that surge arrestors are adequate for the current utility lines

Homeowners insurance policies typically cover lightning damage, but it’s always best to make sure ahead of time so you don’t discover gaps in your coverage when you need to make a claim. Our personal insurance team specializes in helping people find coverage that provides peace of mind throughout every season of the year; contact us today to learn more.

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