Appliances to turn off during a thunderstorm to prevent a fire in the entire house

Appliances to turn off during a thunderstorm to prevent a fire in the entire house

Thunderstorms can pose a significant safety hazard to your home, and one of the biggest risks is the potential for fires caused by electrical surges in appliances.

Electrical current, when intensified by atmospheric activity, can damage appliances and cables, which in extreme cases can lead to short circuits and fires. 

When a thunderstorm hits an area, lightning strikes produce a surge in voltage in the electrical supply. These voltage surges can overload the connections of devices, affecting their operation, burning out internal components, and even generating sparks.

- Why should some devices be disconnected during a thunderstorm?

The most affected appliances are usually those that consume a lot of energy or are designed with complex electronic systems, such as televisions, computers, washing machines and refrigerators.

Unplugging these electrical appliances during a storm is a preventative measure that protects both the appliances and the home’s electrical system itself. Additionally, it can prevent costly damage and reduce the risk of short circuits and fires.

For example, for people living in areas with frequent storms, many experts recommend installing protection systems such as surge protectors, which help regulate power and prevent high loads from passing into the home. However, while these devices are helpful, a direct disconnect is still the safest option.

Televisions and entertainment equipment : Televisions, audio systems, video game consoles, and other entertainment devices are designed with delicate electronic components that can easily burn out if overloaded. Additionally, these devices are often located near windows or in poorly ventilated areas, increasing the risk of electrical shock during a thunderstorm.

- Computers and office equipment  : Computers, printers, and other office equipment are also at risk. Overloading can damage hard drives and other important components, resulting in irreversible data loss. The most advisable thing to do is to unplug and protect them. In addition, phone and tablet chargers should be unplugged because they are designed to receive less charge and can burn out more easily in cases of overcurrent.

- Large appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines :

Although they are essential to the home, unplugging your refrigerator and washing machine during a thunderstorm can prevent a potential fire. These appliances are designed to handle large electrical loads, but when connected to high-voltage sources, the surge in current can seriously damage them. It is advisable, whenever possible, to unplug them at least temporarily and avoid opening them to maintain the internal temperature of food and water in the washing machine at ideal conditions until the storm passes.

In addition to these major appliances, other appliances such as microwave ovens and air conditioners should also be unplugged, as they are also sensitive to voltage fluctuations and their location near cables can increase the risk of short circuits.

It is possible to implement systems that increase the security of the home against electrical storms. An effective option is to use surge protectors or voltage regulators, which limit the impact of power surges. This type of device can be installed in commonly used electrical outlets, or as a central system in the home’s electrical panel. There are also grounding systems for certain appliances, which allow additional power to be directed to the ground, protecting the appliances.

-  What is ICP and why does the electricity go out in your home when we operate several devices at the same time?