Structural fires from lightning can create an emergency situation in a matter of minutes, so it’s important to know how to protect yourself before and during a severe storm.

• Repair damaged wiring as soon as you notice it. Frayed wiring is dangerous even without an electrical storm. So, don’t let it go unaddressed.
• Consider installing a whole home surge protector. You may already be using surge protected extension cords, but a whole home surge protector may be able to keep your larger appliances safe. Because these surge protectors are installed into your main electric panel, it should be done by a professional.
• Make sure your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are up-to-date. This is another preventative step to make sure you’re not caught off-guard in the case of an electrical fire.
• Tidy up before the storm. If there is a spark from a lightning surge, you’ll want your home to be as unconducive to a fire as possible. This means clearing away and properly storing flammable materials such as papers, and keeping flammable materials such as curtains, clothing, rugs, and blankets away from electric outlets.
• Unplug everything you can during a storm. If it can be unplugged before the storm, it should be! This includes televisions, computers, countertop kitchen appliances, and phone chargers. Make sure that you charge any electronics you may need in advance of the storm.