Electrical Devices to Unplug During Storms, Thunder, and Lightning

When thunderstorms roll in with lightning and thunder, your home and electronic devices can be at serious risk. A lightning strike—whether it hits your house directly or nearby—can send a massive power surge through your electrical system. This surge can permanently damage or even destroy your electronic appliances. The best line of defense? Unplug vulnerable devices before or during the storm.

Why Should You Unplug Devices?

Lightning carries an electrical charge of up to 1 billion volts. When it strikes, it can travel through power lines and enter your home’s electrical wiring, causing a sudden spike in voltage—also known as a power surge. Surge protectors can help, but they’re not 100% effective against a direct or very strong surge. Unplugging your devices physically breaks the circuit and offers complete protection.

Devices You Should Unplug During a Storm

1. Televisions
   Modern flat-screen TVs are sensitive to voltage changes and can be permanently damaged by a power surge.
2. Computers and Laptops
   Computers are not only expensive to replace, but they also often store important data. Always unplug them along with any accessories like printers and external drives.
3. Wi-Fi Routers and Modems
   Surge damage to your modem or router can interrupt your internet connection and even affect your entire network setup.
4. Chargers for Phones and Tablets
   Leaving chargers plugged in during a storm can ruin both the charger and the device it’s connected to.
5. Gaming Consoles
   Consoles like the PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch are vulnerable to surge damage and expensive to replace.
6. Home Theater Systems & Speakers
   These systems are often plugged into multiple components, making them more prone to damage from electrical surges.
7. Microwaves, Blenders, and Kitchen Appliances
   Kitchen gadgets with electronic boards and displays are at risk and should be unplugged if not in use.
8. Portable Air Conditioners & Space Heaters
   These devices draw a lot of power and can amplify surge effects when left plugged in.
9. Smart Home Devices
   Devices like smart speakers, thermostats, and security systems that are plugged in should be protected or unplugged during intense storms.
10. Medical Equipment (if not life-supporting)
    If you use powered medical devices that are not life-critical, unplug them to avoid damage unless they have internal batteries.

Additional Safety Tips

• Don’t touch electrical equipment during a lightning storm.
  Even if something needs to be unplugged, avoid doing it during the peak of the storm to prevent shock or injury.
• Use surge protectors—but don’t rely on them entirely.
  They offer some defense, but nothing is safer than disconnecting the power source.
• Consider whole-house surge protection.
  This is a system installed at your electrical panel to protect all your circuits. It’s not a guarantee but adds a layer of security.

Conclusion

Taking a few minutes to unplug your devices can save you from costly repairs or replacements. It’s a simple but effective way to protect your home electronics from unpredictable weather. Always stay alert during weather warnings and prepare your home for storms ahead of time.