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Avoiding a Lightning-Caused Fire | SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties
9/19/2022 (Permalink)
If you are dealing with smoke or fire damage from a recent fire, call SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties to learn about a restoration solution
Fires in the home are generally preventable, but sometimes Mother Nature can cause unexpected hazards, including fires caused by lightning strikes.
Lightning was responsible for 70,000 damage claims in 2020, and it is estimated to strike 6,000 times per minute. Strikes can take out trees, fry electricity and start a fire, so protecting your home is essential to mitigating your risks.
When electrical currents build up between the sky and the ground, a spark or lightning strike occurs. Lightning occurs during a forest fire, volcanic eruption or a heavy snowstorm as well as thunderstorms.
Lightning can also spark up in dry weather, which leads to a high risk of wildfires. While threats always vary seasonally, it is wise to stay prepared.
If lightning strikes your house, it can leave behind a good deal of damage and start a fire. This can happen due to the heat of the strike or after an electrical surge that results from the strike.
You may not notice a fire that results from lightning right away, but you will likely hear the strike itself.
If you hear a loud boom, check your home for burn marks and smoke, particularly in the attic and walls. Call the fire department, and once you have been given the all-clear, check with an electrician to ensure your wiring is safe to turn back on and avoid other fire possibilities.
To protect your home from lightning, installing a metal rod can add a layer of protection as it conducts electricity through the ground rather than through your house.
A surge protector added to your electric panel can also add a good deal of protection from fire caused by electrical surges. This may also mean your lights stay on longer in the midst of a storm, allowing you to check for fire faster after a strike.
Lightning causes an average of 9,000 wildfires a year. When a strike sparks a fire, it burns hotter and faster due to the extreme heat of lightning, meaning it threatens a wide area.
Clean up your landscaping and clear out dead trees, and look into defensible zones for your yard that can divert fire away from your home. Check the smoke detectors in your house, and ensure there is one on every level of your house so that you can quickly move to safety no matter where you are.
If your home is damaged in a fire, call SERVPRO. We have the tools and experience to handle every step of your restoration and get you back in your house faster.
Have you experienced smoke or fire damage in your home? Call us today to get the restoration finished fast