There’s truly no place like home—which is why it is so important to prepare your dwelling for anything Mother Nature might throw your way. As a New Yorker, you are probably no stranger to snowstorms, thunderstorms, floods, and even tropical storms, all of which can pose a threat to your humble home at virtually any point in the year. While winter is typically the most dreaded season for property owners who are trying to stay ahead, thunderstorms and lightning can also seriously damage a home and lead to catastrophic outcomes in the summer months.
Although lightning can be unpredictable, there are initiatives you can take as a homeowner to lessen the likelihood your home will be damaged in the event of a strike. Continue reading to learn about five tips that can help protect your home from lightning!
- Install a Home Lightning System and Automatic Sprinklers
Installing a home lightning system is one of the best ways to protect your home from hazards associated with lightning. These systems usually utilize a combination of lightning rods, main conductors, grounds, bonds, and surge protectors. Consisting of highly conductive copper and aluminum that helps to safely ground electricity, a home lightning system can divert strikes to a safe landing point and keep your home safe.
If you haven’t already done so, consider installing automatic sprinklers in your home and other smart technology that can automatically act in the event of an emergency to protect your home. In addition to being another safety net should a house fire occur after a lightning strike; you may be eligible for discounts on your homeowners insurance for introducing automated safety features.
- Unplug Electronics & Appliances
In addition to causing structural fires, a lightning strike can also cause damage to your electronic devices. When lightning strikes a home or power line, it can result in a power surge capable of permanently damaging appliances. A power surge is when a high rush of electricity – higher than your wiring is intended to withstand – moves through your wiring all at once.
To avoid this type of damage, a preventive measure that homeowners can take is to unplug appliances void of surge protection when a storm is expected.
- Install Surge Protectors
Sometimes severe storms can happen with little or no warning. With this in mind, you should try to be proactive in your preparation for a storm rather than reactive. One step you can take to prepare your home for a storm is to ensure that you have a surge protector to defend all of your electronics and appliances that remain plugged in.
Surge protectors work by limiting the amount of voltage that can be transported to appliances and electronics. They allow your devices to receive the requisite electricity to operate and divert away any spikes in electricity to keep your property safe.
- Avoid Running Water
An additional hazard that should not be overlooked when considering lightning safety is the potential for electrocution. Electrical currents produced by lightning can travel through a home’s pipes and plumbing and present a danger to inhabitants. For this reason, it is important to avoid taking showers, washing dishes, or washing hands during a storm with lightning.
- Review Your Homeowners Insurance
When lightning or tragedy strikes, you can feel relief knowing your home and other assets are protected with Home Insurance. For this reason, it’s important to regularly review your insurance coverage with your agent to ensure you are taking advantage of all of the possible discounts and additional coverages at your fingertips. Click the button below to contact an agent today!