Electrical Hazards After a Lightning Strike: What to Check Immediately
A lightning strike can do more damage to your home and your electrical system than you might think. At the very least, a lightning strike can cause a power surge that trips some of your home’s circuit breakers. At its worst, lightning can ruin electronic devices, bring down power lines, and even start fires on your property. This is why you need to not only be aware of how dangerous lightning strike hazards can be for you, but also how they can affect your home’s electronics, appliances, and wiring. This usually means completing a lightning strike evaluation after an electrical storm either on your own or with the help of a licensed electrician. Learn what can happen during a lightning strike.
Before You Begin: Safety Tips
As important as your wiring and electronics may be, your safety should always be a top priority during and after an electrical storm. First of all, don’t go outside during an electrical storm if you can help it. If you do find yourself stuck outside when a storm hits, try to get to a low point and crouch down if you’re in an exposed area. Stay away from trees and sources of water such as swimming pools, puddles, or even wet grass. Avoid metal objects such as clotheslines, poles, or sheds with metal roofs. Finally, don’t stand too close to anyone else; try to spread out if you can.
The inside of your home should be fairly safe during a storm, but there may still be electrical hazards indoors. Stay away from windows and doors to avoid getting struck by lightning, and unplug appliances before the storm hits if you can. If you can’t, avoid contact with wires or electrical equipment during the storm. If you must make a phone call, do so on a cordless phone. Avoid contact with water and plumbing fixtures such as your sinks or bathtub. Do not go near wet electronics, wires, or appliances during or after the storm.
Post-Lightning Strike Electrical Safety Checklist
Once the storm has passed, it’s time to complete a lightning strike evaluation in your home. Your first step should be to check all of your switches and outlets. Look for visual signs of damage such as burn marks, melted wires, or exposed wiring. Test switches and outlets that seem safe, and make a note of any that aren’t working properly. If any of your switches or outlets seem unsafe to touch, leave them alone. Call an electrician to handle the problem instead once you’ve finished your evaluation.
When you turn on light switches, pay attention to the lights themselves to see if they are flickering. Flickering lights are a common sign of electrical damage, and it’s usually the kind of damage that may not be immediately apparent. Learn why electrical inspections matter after a lightning strike.
After you’ve determined which outlets are or aren’t working, check your electrical panel for any tripped circuit breakers or signs of damage. Reset any tripped breakers to see if that restores power to any outlets and switches that aren’t working, and make a note of burn marks or melted wiring. Once again, do not touch any obviously damaged wiring, and don’t go near your electrical panel if there is any water nearby from a flood.
Your next step should be to test your appliances and electronics if it’s safe to do so. Avoid any appliances with exposed or damaged wiring or anything too close to standing water. Try to turn on your appliances and devices to see if they’re working properly. If they aren’t, make a note of them and check to see if they can be repaired later.
After you’ve checked your devices, your next step will be to check your HVAC system. Turn on your air conditioner and furnace to make sure they’re working properly. If you notice a foul smell like rotten eggs, evacuate your home and call 911 from a safe location. This is a sign of a natural gas leak. The same goes for when your battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors go off. A damaged furnace can leak carbon monoxide into your home, which can be deadly.
The last step in your lightning strike evaluation should be to check your phone, cable, and internet lines. The easiest way to do this is to check to see if your phones are working and that you still have an internet connection on any devices that are safe to use, but you should also look for things such as melted wiring or downed power lines outside. Document any signs of damage that you find, and do not touch any wiring that seems unsafe.
What to Do If You Find Damage
If you find any signs of damage after a lightning strike, document it. This goes for things such as outlets and switches that aren’t working, but it also applies to fire or water damage. Write everything down and take photos if you can. You’ll need all of this when you file a claim with your insurance company.
If you had to evacuate your home, do not return until the local authorities tell you that it’s safe to do so. If you smell gas, do not turn on any lights or electronic devices, and do not strike a match or use a lighter for anything. Evacuate your home and call 911.
Preventing Future Lightning Damage
Lightning strikes can do a lot of damage to your home, but much of that damage can be prevented. One of the best ways to prevent lightning damage is to install a whole-home surge protection system. This will help prevent damage to your wiring and electronics if there is a power surge from lightning or another source of electricity.
If you don’t have a surge protection system in place, you can protect your appliances and electronics simply by keeping an eye on the weather and unplugging them when a storm is on its way. Again, do not unplug anything during a lightning storm; try to unplug vulnerable devices when the storm is on its way.
Your Safety is Our Priority
Whether you’re dealing with a lightning strike or damaged wiring in your home, know that your safety is always our top priority. Call Mister Sparky in Melbourne, FL right away if you suspect any damage to your electrical system after a severe storm.
When it comes to lightning, don’t put up with any malarky. Call Mister Sparky.