Lightning strikes are a common occurrence, leaving brush fires, power outages and property damage in their wake. With summer storms making their way across Northeast Florida, there’s no better time to see how you can keep your home and family safe from lightning strikes.
- Stay up-to-date on the day’s forecast to avoid getting stuck outside in a thunderstorm.
- If you’re outside when a storm hits, find shelter. If shelter isn’t available, move away from tall objects and bodies of water. Do NOT lie down.
- While inside, stay away from windows and doors until the storm has passed.
- Avoid activities that use your indoor plumbing, like taking a bath or shower and hand-washing dishes.
- Avoid using wired devices that conduct electricity, like game consoles, appliances, and laptops.
- Lightning can strike more than 10 miles outside a storm system – stay inside for 30 minutes after the storm ends.
What happens when lightning strikes near your home?
From flickers to lasting outages, lightning and severe weather are common causes of power failure in the state of Florida. The best thing you can do to prepare your home is to invest in surge protectors. In the event that lightning strikes your home or the electrical equipment nearby, surge protectors can help stop the electrical current from destroying expensive items in your home or even starting a fire.
As for the equipment outside your home, Beaches Energy conducts regular equipment maintenance and upgrades, like installing lightning arresters to overhead transformers to ensure everything is in the best possible shape for a storm. Plus, our crews work hard to restore your power as quickly and safely as possible in the event of an outage.
Surge arresters
By following these tips, you’ll be in a much better place to deal with severe weather and lightning strikes. But, to take your protection to the next level, consider a meter-based surge arrester installed by the experts at Beaches Energy.
Click below to learn more about surge arresters and how Beaches Energy can help improve your home’s lightning safety!