Thunder and lightning might be thrilling, but lightning striking your house can be anything but. When lightning strikes a home, it can cause significant damage including power surges, explosions, or even fires. If your home is struck by lightning, it’s essential to know what steps to take to ensure your safety and protect your property. In this post, we’ll guide you through what to do if your home is struck by lightning.
Ensure Your Safety
The first and most important step when your home is struck by lightning is to make sure everyone in the home is safe. If anyone was close to the strike, check for any immediate signs of injury such as burns or loss of consciousness. After checking for injuries, it’s also important to evacuate immediately if there are any signs of a fire or smoke. Once everyone is safe, it’s time to assess the damage and take action.
If someone has been directly hit by lightning or electrocuted, it’s important to take immediate action. Immediately call for medical help and seek treatment for the person affected. Do not move the person unless absolutely necessary to avoid further injury. Check for signs of breathing and heart rate, if none are present begin CPR immediately. Ensure that all electrical sources are turned off and check for any burns that may be present. Finally, do not attempt to treat the person yourself and wait for medical professionals to arrive.
Turn Off Electrical Appliances and Systems
Lightning has the potential to cause major power surges, so it’s important to turn off all electrical appliances and systems in your home immediately following a lightning strike. Pay special attention to items that may be plugged into outlets such as televisions, computers, and electronic devices. Additionally, disconnect any large appliances like air conditioners that are connected to your home’s electrical system. This will help prevent further damage from power surges.
When handling any electrical equipment after a lightning strike, it’s important to take precautions and use the right safety gear. Rubber gloves are essential for protecting your hands from any potential shock that may be present. When putting on rubber gloves, make sure they fit snugly over your hands and wrists and that no exposed skin is touching the electric components. Additionally, make sure you are aware of your surroundings and not near any other electrical sources that could cause further injury.
Inspect Your House
After the storm has passed, have a thorough inspection of your home to check for any damages caused by the lightning strike. Look for any visible signs of damage, such as broken windows, holes in the roof or walls, and water leaks. Also, check your electrical system to ensure that there are no exposed wires or any other hazards. It is essential to take action to prevent secondary damage, which could lead to more extensive repairs.
Call Your Insurance Company
If the lightning strike has caused significant damage to your house, be sure to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Make sure you document everything, including photos of the damage and note down what was damaged or lost. Your insurance company will be able to guide you through the claims process and help you with the repairs.
It is important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after your home has been struck by lightning. This will help ensure that any damage caused by the lightning can be quickly identified, documented, and covered through insurance. If you wait too long to call your insurer, you may end up having to pay for a large portion of the repairs yourself.
Make sure to keep all documentation of the damage caused and have photographs ready for the insurer. If you do not feel comfortable or safe entering your home after it has been struck, contact emergency services and wait for help to arrive before attempting to enter. Taking these precautions will help ensure that your insurance claim is successful and that you get the best possible outcome.
Get Professional Help
You should also consider hiring a professional electrician and contractor to assess the damage and carry out the repairs. Electricians will ensure that your electrical system is safe, and the contractor will help fix any damage caused by the lightning strike. Do not try to do any repairs yourself, as you could harm yourself or even make the damage worse.
Take Steps to Prevent Future Lightning Strikes
While there is no guarantee that lightning will not strike your house again, you should take steps to prevent it from happening again. Installing a lightning rod or surge protector can significantly reduce the risk of lightning strikes. Additionally, ensure that any trees surrounding your home are trimmed and that gutters and downspouts are correctly installed to prevent water damage.
Other measures that can help prevent lightning strikes include installing lightning-resistant roofing with the help of roofers, avoiding contact with metal objects such as door knobs during a storm, and unplugging electronics from power sources. If you live in an area prone to lightning storms, it is also important to have an emergency plan in place and make sure everyone in the home is aware of it.
Additionally, when severe thunderstorms are expected, you should stay indoors and away from windows and doors. It is also important to make sure your home is lightning-proofed by an electrician and that all electrical wiring is up to code. Taking these simple steps can help ensure the safety of your family and reduce the risk of lightning striking your home.
Being struck by lightning is a terrifying experience. Still, with the right steps, you can ensure the safety of your family and minimize property damage. Remember to always stay safe, assess the damage, document it, contact your insurance company, and hire a professional to repair any damage. These simple steps will help make the process of recovery more manageable and get your life back to normal.
Also Read: Best Guide For Home Maintenance
