When it’s stormy, to ensure safety and reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, you should unplug certain electrical devices in your home. Everyone should pay attention to this.
Electrical devices to unplug during storms, thunder, and lightning
During a storm, lightning often occurs continuously. Nowadays, most houses are equipped with lightning protection devices, but unplugging electronic devices during storms still makes a significant difference. Lightning protection devices are effective in safeguarding the family, but they cannot guarantee absolute safety. Lightning may not only strike directly on buildings, trees, or people but can also strike indirectly. For example, lightning may hit telephone lines or high-voltage or low-voltage electrical lines at a certain point. The electrical current created by the lightning will travel along these lines to the buildings, damaging the electrical devices connected to the power source. Many families have encountered issues like lights, phones, and refrigerators short-circuiting or catching fire due to this phenomenon.
Therefore, experts recommend that the best way to protect your electrical devices at home from damage and fire is to unplug them.
When hearing weather forecasts predicting thunderstorms, take the time to unplug unnecessary electrical devices in your home.
Electrical devices to unplug during a storm include:
- Speakers, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, clothes dryers, induction cookers, dishwashers, kettles, TVs, computers, and phones that are charging… These devices are highly likely to attract electrical surges and are more vulnerable to damage and fire during thunderstorms. Hence, unplugging electrical devices during storms is essential.
In case of heavy rain and thunder, you should also disconnect the power of outdoor electrical devices, such as billboards or advertising signs.
If you need to leave home before a storm, ensure that you’ve turned off the power to all electrical devices to ensure the safety of your home.
Some precautions during storms, thunder, and lightning
Before a storm hits, you should check the electrical system in your home, especially old wiring. Install circuit breakers or separate power control devices for each floor for easy control of the power supply for each floor.
If there’s a risk of flooding in your house, it’s best to turn off all the circuit breakers to avoid danger.
After experiencing flooding, check the wiring, plugs, and sockets for any water or moisture damage. If any part is affected, you should dry these areas before turning the circuit breakers back on.
Additionally, you should place electrical devices in dry, elevated areas to avoid water damage. If any electrical devices get wet, you should disconnect the power. Before using them again, dry the devices or take them for maintenance.
When your hands and feet are wet, avoid touching electrical devices that are running to prevent electric shocks.
It is also recommended to install lightning rods or surge protectors to ensure safety for your home.
