Severe weather, especially lightning storms, can pose a great danger to your valuable electronics. Lightning-caused power surges can wreak havoc on your electronics. This will lead to financial losses and potential safety hazards. The last thing you’d want after making it through a brutal storm is a bunch of damaged electronics.
We at Mathews CCAC know that living in Corpus Christi means living with harsh weather. Even so, that doesn’t mean your belongings need to suffer for it, and we’d like to help make sure they don’t!
It’s never too early to plan for electrical safety during our coastal storms. Mathews CCAC offers you some practical steps to safeguard your electronics from storms.
Why Electrical Safety Matters During Storms
Even if a lightning strike doesn’t hit your house, it can still send surges through nearby power lines. These surges can travel into your home’s wiring and all connected electronic devices. That puts your TVs, computers, appliances and more at risk.
Electrical safety during storms is crucial for several reasons:
- Lightning-caused electrical surges can fry sensitive electronic parts, rendering your devices useless.
- The cost of replacing or repairing electronics can be huge.
- Electrical surges can lead to overheating, sparks, fires and other safety risks.
Even after an initial strike, which might disable your electronics, problems can continue. There are potential safety risks as well as unnecessary costs at stake. Planning ahead is the best way to save yourself from this stress.
Protecting Your Electronics From Storms And Lightning
Now, let’s dive into practical steps to protect your electronics during storms.
Unplug Appliances And Electronics
One of the most effective ways to protect your electronics during a storm is to unplug them. By disconnecting devices from the electrical circuit, you are creating a barrier. This prevents dangerous power surges from reaching and damaging your electronics.
You’ll want to unplug big appliances like refrigerators and TVs. Do the same for smaller devices like phones, laptops and desktop computers. Make plans as soon as you know bad weather is coming to give yourself plenty of time to prepare.
Use Surge Protectors
We understand that unplugging all devices isn’t always possible. If you’re away from home during a storm, it’s not so simple. In such cases, surge protectors are your allies.
Surge protectors can send excess voltage underground. This reduces the risk of damage to your plugged-in electronics. We encourage you to invest in surge protectors to protect your valuable electronics.
Consider Whole-Home Lightning Protection
For full electrical safety, a licensed electrician can install a service-entrance surge protector. This is sometimes referred to as a whole-home lightning protection system.
This protector is often placed between your home’s electrical meter and the breaker box or main service panel. It’s a shield that prevents surges from entering your home’s wiring. This can safeguard all your connected devices.
Review Your Insurance Policies
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. It’s wise to review your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies. Make sure they provide adequate coverage for potential storm-related damages to your electronics. Not all policies cover everything in your home, so make sure you have the right level of protection.
Turn To Mathews CCAC
When it comes to keeping your home safe, the best group to turn to is clear. There’s a local team for you who knows Corpus Christi like the back of our hand!
We at Mathews CCAC are the HVAC and electrical specialists you can depend upon. Our team is here to help your home survive and even thrive amid the unpredictable coastal weather. Whether you need electrical repair, plumbing repair or heating and air conditioning services, we’re ready to help. We’ve got you covered, so contact us today!