What do you do with your electronics during a storm? If the answer is nothing, think again.
Can a thunderstorm destroy your appliances? According to the Department of Homeland Security, you should unplug all of your appliances during a storm. Hypothetically, if lightning were to strike near a local electric pole, it could cause a surge of electricity to burst through the power lines, thus affecting your home, and possibly resulting in an electrical repair.
Read below for more facts on why it’s important to maintain electrical safety by unplugging appliances during lightning storms.
Importance of Unplugging Big Appliances in a Storm
During the summer, higher humidity levels and warmer temperatures make thunderstorms more likely to develop. While rain and wind are more hazardous and happen more often, lightning can be the biggest danger. There are a few important reasons why you should unplug your home appliances and electronics before a big thunderstorm.
Damage to Plugged in Appliances and Electronics
While cozying up and watching tv or working on your computer during a storm sounds ideal, it could prove to be a big mistake. If lightning were to strike a nearby electric pole or your yard, this can create a power surge. Your household appliances can only handle a certain amount of voltage. Extra volts of electricity flowing into your home from a lightning strike can damage flat-screen tv’s, computers, water heaters and more. Even small surges won’t damage property right away, but can shorten the lifespan of your electronics.
Risk of Electrocution
It should be noted that you shouldn’t wait until a big storm arrives to unplug your electronics and appliances. If you wait to unplug appliances and electronics as lightning strikes your home or yard, there is a chance you could be electrocuted. Lightning strikes have been known to contain 15 million volts of electricity, which is ultimately enough energy to power a small community.
Think Electrical Safety to Avoid Electrical Repair
One way to keep up with weather alerts is to download an app on your phone that provides storm alerts, or simply check your local news weather forecast. By doing this, you’ll stay prepared for any surprise storms in your area. If you happen to hear a faint sound of thunder in the distance or see gray clouds forming, the storm could be less than 30 miles away. Don’t wait to take action. Unplug appliances sooner rather than later and avoid electrical repair.
Contact Arnold Electrical
If your home has suffered lightning damage, contact your trusted Chicago electricians at Arnold Electrical. No job is too big or small for our team of experts, whether it be a timely repair or an emergency repair. Contact us and request a service today!
