Lightning, high winds and torrential downpours can put your electronic devices at risk of damage. Prepare for spring storms to protect yourself and your electronics from harm.
Install surge protectors as a first line of defense. Use them for computers, TVs, exercise equipment and other sensitive devices. Look for protectors with indicator lights that show when protection is active.
Unplug electronics and turn them off during severe storms—excluding essential items such as refrigerators and medical oxygen tanks. Remember even the best surge protectors cannot block a direct lightning strike. Enable the power-saving mode on your phone to conserve battery life, and use portable chargers during long-term outages. Your phone may be needed for emergency calls in extreme situations.
Consider having a licensed electrician install whole-home surge protection if your home experiences frequent outages. A technician can explain whether this option fits your needs and install the system at the electrical panel.
Use backup power options, such as battery packs, portable generators or whole-home standby generators, to keep essential devices running during service interruptions. Portable generators should only be used outside—away from windows and doors—to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
Save copies of important electronic data on external drives or to the cloud as a precaution in case of loss. Print and store critical documents in a fireproof and waterproof safe to preserve them.
Wait a few minutes before turning electronics back on after an outage. This helps protect devices from voltage fluctuations as power is restored. If any electronic devices appear damaged following a storm, avoid use and seek inspection by a professional.
