Lightning Strikes and Home Fires

7/8/2020 (Permalink)

Her are some ways you can protect your home from lightning strikes.

Lightning Strikes and Home Fires

Living here along the Gulf of Mexico, we are no strangers to severe storms.  From hurricanes to thunderstorms, as the wettest city in the United States, we see rain arrive in all forms!  Severe pop-up storms loaded with cloud to ground lightning are especially common in our normal summer weather pattern.  We all know the phrase “when thunder roars, head indoors”, but have you ever wondered what could happen to the very shelter you seek?  According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) lightning causes over 22,000 fires each year.  The Insurance Information Institute states that lightning strikes costs roughly $700 million in homeowners insurance losses each year.  There are some steps you can take to be prepared and protect your home from lightning strikes:

• Use a home lightning protection system. This can include lightning rods, main conductors, grounds, bonds or surge protectors.
• Unplug electronics and appliances.
• Install surge protectors/surge suppressors.
• Be sure to check your insurance policy to make sure you have coverage for damage caused by lightning.

We hope that you are never faced with fire damage,  but if you are, remember SERVPRO of Mobile County is always Here to Help.^®  Our IICRC Certified technicians have years of experience in the field and the training to handle any fire damage situation.  We are available 24/7 to help you!