Most of us have heard this advice before: When a bad storm is heading your way, unplug all your electronics. But is this advice solid, or is it more of an old wives’ tale? Allow us to explain.
Electronics are at risk during storms
Let’s start with this: Yes, your electronics can be damaged during a storm. You don’t have to worry about electrical surges if it’s just wind and rain, but electrical activity — aka, lightning — is cause for concern. Lighting strikes that directly hit your house or the city wide electrical system have the potential to cause extreme surges in power that can destroy electronics. If your home has a quality electrical system, it should be able to deal with most electrical surges that storms can cause.
So, should you unplug your electronics?
If you are home during a storm that has electrical activity and you can safely unplug your electronics, it is not a bad idea to do so. However, if lightning strikes already seem a little too close for comfort, handling electric cords may put you at risk. If you think you will want to unplug, do so as early as possible, and start with the most important items first.
Invest in quality surge protectors
The problem with unplugging items goes beyond just your safety; you also have to consider that storms can occur when no one is home to unplug electronics. For this reason, you should invest in quality surge protectors. Look for those that are certified to withstand serious surges to protect the most vital items. These tend to be pretty pricy, but are worth it in the long run. For items that are not priority, you can still protect them with high-quality surge protectors or you can opt for those that handle lower-level surges. Items that are at the greatest risk of damage are computers, televisions and video game consoles.
If you have a good homeowner’s insurance policy, damage to most or all of your electronics should be covered. Check with your provider to be sure.
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