Safeguard Your Property From Lightning Fires | SERVPRO® of New Center/Highland Park

House fires can be terrible, but by following fire safety procedures and using the right equipment, we can better safeguard our homes and our loved ones. Most house fires begin in the kitchen, and you can take precautions to prevent those.

But some fires originate from a natural source, such as lightning, making them much less preventable.

There were over 70,000 damage claims attributed to lightning strikes in 2020. The probability of lightning striking you personally is actually quite low, but the risk to your home is much greater. And that lightning can result in a fire, damage your electrical system or even destroy trees when it does strike.

Approximately 6,000 lightning strikes are thought to occur per minute. This implies that nobody is really protected from this dangerous hazard, and we should all be equipped to defend our houses and ourselves before severe weather strikes.

What Is Lightning?

Lightning is an enormous, bright bolt of electricity that is created between clouds in the air and the ground. Lightning is a regular phenomenon in thunderstorms, but it can also happen during severe wildfires, volcanic eruptions and even snowstorms.

Though lightning is usually linked to extreme weather, it can also strike when the sky is clear and the air is dry. “Dry lightning” is produced without rain, and it is capable of sparking dangerous wildfires often.

While we prepare for the dangers of lightning, we must also prepare for the possibility of the fires caused by it.

Protecting Your Home From Lightning Fires

When lightning strikes your home, it can result in significant damage, especially if a fire is involved. Flames can ignite from the temperature of the strike or the electricity created by the strike.

It’s possible that you won’t instantly know when a fire starts as a result of the hit as it will frequently begin within your walls or in your attic. But you will likely hear it, since a strike causes a loud, distinctive boom.

Once you realize your home has been struck, check for indicators of burning and notify the fire department as soon as you spot black markings or smell smoke. Once the fire department has given you the all-clear, have an electrician check your electrical system before powering things up.

A great tool to help avoid flames caused by lightning is a lightning rod. When lightning hit the metal rod, the energy is conducted straight to the ground, instead of into your home.

When Lightning Strikes Nearby

Lighting is a leading cause of wildfires and other outdoor fires. Different parts of the county see varying “peak” seasons for lightning fires, but an estimated 9,000 fires are ignited each year by lightning strikes. These fires can quickly spread to properties and homes.

Consider using defensible zones to defend your property when lightning strikes near your home. Keep your landscaping tidy and free of dead or decaying vegetation.

You should also have a smoke alarm on every floor and in all bedrooms to make sure every member of your family is notified when flames break out.

If you are facing the aftermath of a fire, our team at SERVPRO can take care of the mess.

We understand the restoration process can be daunting, but we can make it easy through rapid response and years of expertise. We’ll keep you updated every step of the way as we get your home back to its pre-fire state.

Have you experienced smoke or fire damage in your home? Call us today to get the restoration finished fast.