Protecting your home & business from lightning
May 10, 2018
Now that spring is upon us, severe weather season is just around the corner. While tornados and flooding might be at the top of a home or business owner’s mind, lightning can prove to be completely unpredictable and equally as dangerous.
Follow these four simple steps to help protect your home or business from a lightning strike:
1) Keep your property safe with a lightning protection system
A lightning protection system is a compilation of rods, conductor cables, and ground rods that safely conducts the electricity from a lightning strike into the ground. These systems provide the safest path possible for any electrical current, helping prevent damage to your home, business, and possessions, and can be custom-designed. When purchasing a lightning protection system, work with a UL-approved lightning protection expert to ensure your new system meets national guidelines.
2) Utilize Surge Protective Devices (SPDs)
Surge Protective Devices (SPDs) are both individual devices and components within electronic equipment that shield products from damage related to electronic surges. When selecting an SPD, it is vital to choose one that is UL-approved to guarantee the utmost protection. Once properly installed, an effective SPD can help prevent thousands of dollars in damage to your possessions.
3) Unplug electronics and appliances
While fairly straightforward, unplugging valuable electronics or appliances when a severe storm hits can save you serious time and money. In the event of a lightning strike or power surge, unplugging electronics can help them avoid severe or permanent damage.
4) Verify your insurance coverage
Most standard home and business insurance policies cover fire-related losses. Electrical losses from lightning strikes can often be covered as well. As a precautionary step, reaching out to your insurance agent to verify your coverage is an easy way to ensure you are prepared.
If your property is damaged from a lightning strike, contact your insurance agent to file a claim. Keep in mind most insurance policies mandate that you file a claim within a set amount of time following an incident. Be sure you know the deadline set by your policy.
While lightning is dangerous and unpredictable, damage to your home or business can be avoided. By following these steps, you can better protect your home or business from lightning strikes.
Sources:
Lightning Protection Institute
Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety