The phenomenon of lightning during a severe thunderstorm is a spectacle of nature, but it’s important to balance awe with caution, especially when it comes to electrical safety at home. At Kish and Sons, we’ll supply you with some practical steps you can take to ensure the safety of your family and protect your home’s electrical systems during severe storms, particularly those accompanied by abundant lightning.
Surge Protection: Shielding Your Electronics
The impact of lightning-induced power surges on your electronic devices can be detrimental. Shield your valuable electronics by equipping them with surge protectors. These essential tools absorb excessive voltage and redirect it, safeguarding your devices. For comprehensive defense against potential electrical surges affecting your home’s wiring, contemplate the installation of surge protection systems. Consult a residential electrician from Kish and Sons to ensure thorough protection.
Unplugging Electronics: A Wise Precaution
Anticipate the impact of an impending thunderstorm by proactively unplugging vulnerable electronics like computers, TVs, gaming consoles, and appliances. This precaution eliminates the potential damage from electrical surges. In cases where unplugging is impractical, enhance protection by employing surge-protecting power strips.
Lightning Rods: Directing Lightning Safely
Consider enhancing your home’s lightning protection by installing lightning rods. These rods create a designated path for lightning, diverting it from sensitive electrical systems. Particularly advantageous for taller structures, lightning rods provide a secure point for lightning strikes and a guided route for electrical discharge. This substantially lowers the potential damage to your home’s wiring and electronics. Engage a residential electrician to ensure proper installation and safety.
Grounding: Creating a Safe Path
Ensuring that your home’s electrical systems are properly grounded is a fundamental aspect of electrical safety. Grounding provides a safe pathway for electrical currents to dissipate harmlessly into the earth. Regularly check and maintain your home’s grounding system to reduce the risk of electrical surges during lightning storms.
Surge Arresters: Protecting Utility Connections
Utility lines connected to your home are susceptible to lightning-induced power surges. Consider installing surge arresters at the point of entry for utilities such as power, cable, and telephone lines. These devices act as gatekeepers, preventing surges from entering your home through these pathways. To ensure comprehensive safety measures, consult a residential electrician for expert guidance.
Smart Usage During Storms: Minimizing Risks
Even during a severe thunderstorm, there are habits you can adopt to minimize electrical risks:
- Avoid Using Corded Devices: Stick to battery-powered or cordless devices during storms to reduce the risk of shock or damage from electrical surges.
- Postpone Chores: Refrain from using washing machines, dryers, and other major appliances during a lightning storm to minimize the risk of a power surge.
- Unplug HVAC Systems: Disconnect your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems during storms. If a power surge occurs, it could damage the sensitive components of these systems.
Backup Power: An Electrifying Safety Net
Consider investing in a backup power supply, such as a generator, to keep essential appliances running during power outages caused by damage. This can help maintain crucial systems like refrigeration, medical equipment, and communication devices.
Education and Family Safety: Empower and Protect
Educate your family members about electrical safety during severe thunderstorms. Teach them the importance of avoiding corded devices, unplugging electronics, and taking precautions to stay safe indoors. By empowering your family with knowledge, you enhance their ability to make safe decisions during stormy weather.
At Kish and Sons, we want you to be aware when a severe thunderstorm enters your area. It’s your proactive measures that can make all the difference in protecting your home and loved ones from electrical hazards. Employ surge protection measures, unplug sensitive electronics, consider lightning rods and surge arresters, and be mindful of your electrical usage during storms. With the right strategies in place, you can navigate electrical safety at home and weather any storm with confidence. Remember, by taking these precautions, you’re not only safeguarding your home’s electrical systems but also ensuring the well-being of your family during the electrifying displays of nature’s power.
Remember, don’t attempt to tackle home electrical problems as DIY projects. Keep your family safe by calling a licensed residential electrician. At Kish and Son’s Electric, our skilled electricians swiftly and safely diagnose and fix issues. Small residential electrical emergencies can turn risky if mishandled, so let us help you avoid that.
