Thunderstorm & Lightning Safety Tips: What Families Should Know

July 18th, 2024

Thunderstorm & Lightning Safety Tips: What Families Should Know With a flash and a bang, thunderstorm season often catches homeowners by surprise. While modern construction methods and infrastructure greatly reduce the risk of property damage or personal injury, households should still follow a few important safety precautions for thunderstorms. From not using electronics during storms […]

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Thunderstorm & Lightning Safety Tips: What Families Should Know

With a flash and a bang, thunderstorm season often catches homeowners by surprise. While modern construction methods and infrastructure greatly reduce the risk of property damage or personal injury, households should still follow a few important safety precautions for thunderstorms.

From not using electronics during storms to the old water use adage, here’s how to stay safe when storms roll in …

Different Weather Events, Different Risks

There’s overlap between lightning and thunderstorm safety, but individuals need to remember the specific risks each presents:

Thunderstorms primarily cause wind damage and, depending on the severity of the weather event, pose an additional risk of flooding or water damage.
Lightning primarily causes electrical damage and, in some cases, fire in the event of a direct strike.

Of course, lightning can be a primary element of a thunderstorm, but in your preparations it’s worth addressing the multifaceted components of a storm.

Three Safety Tips for Lightning

There are 40 million lightning strikes in the US per year, but rest assured that the risk of getting hit by lightning is minuscule: about one in a million. That doesn’t mean property owners and families can ignore lightning risk.

Insurance companies pay over $1 billion in lightning damage claims annually, although researchers believe the actual costs are four to five times higher.

Stay safe with these three easy-to-follow lightning safety tips:

1. Don’t use water during a storm

It’s not the water; it’s the pipes. Metal plumbing is a relatively efficient conductor of electricity and can direct electricity from a lightning strike into the home. Touching faucets or standing in the shower puts individuals at risk of electric shock. Avoid using water until the storm has passed.

2. Avoid touching plugged-in electronics

Like metal plumbing, the home’s electrical system can relay electricity from a direct or nearby lightning strike. In the past, the biggest risk was corded telephones. Today, it’s best to avoid using plugged-in laptops, cell phones, or other corded devices whenever there are confirmed lightning strikes in the vicinity. Disconnecting electronics during a storm reduces the risk of shock.

3. Mitigate power surge damage

Unplugging electronics has an additional benefit: A sizeable share of lightning damage is caused by power surges, which can fry any device or appliance connected to the affected circuit. While many damaged electronics can be restored, property owners can avoid the need for repairs by using whole-home surge protectors or power strip surge protectors for devices (such as televisions or desktop computers) they leave plugged in.

Three Damage-Prevention and Safety Tips for Thunderstorms

Wind poses a very different set of risks than lightning. Wind damage from all storms costs the US roughly $54 billion per year, including $34 million in residential damage.

With that in mind, there are three ways to prepare for a busy thunderstorm season:

1. Trim trees and branches

Proactively trim low-hanging branches and limbs away from nearby power lines and structures, including the home, garage, or shed. This reduces the risk of trees or branches falling during a storm.

2. Repair loose siding and gutters

Strong winds can turn a small section of loose or cracked siding into a gaping hole. This could result in further moisture and water damage affecting exterior insulation.

3. Move to the basement or gather in an interior room

Gather family members in the basement or a sturdy interior room during the storm. In homes without basements, the bathroom is often the safest place. While this may only be necessary during severe storms, it’s important to establish a safety plan for severe weather events and prepare an emergency kit.

Filling The Bathtub During a Storm: Is It Necessary?

Many experts recommend filling your bathtub in advance of an imminent storm to ensure a safe water supply for drinking and washing. This is excellent advice before hurricanes but isn’t usually necessary before a thunderstorm. Base your decision to fill the tub on local weather advisors and public health officials; the practice is only required when there’s reason to expect long-term power outages or water supply contamination.

Always Safe at Home with Prism Specialties

As one of North America’s leading specialty restoration companies, Prism Specialties has seen its fair share of homes and businesses damaged by major storms. Every preventative effort matters, but when things get tough, we can help. Count on the Prism Specialties location nearby for fast, professional, and compassionate support and restore personal possessions quickly. Submit a claim or call 888-826-9429 to get started.