Stay Safe From Summer Storms Anywhere You Go | SERVPRO® of East San Antonio

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

Have you been affected by a storm event? SERVPRO of East San Antonio is available 24/7 and ready to assist you with any storm damage.

When the weather turns hot and humid, you can be certain that thunderstorms and pop-up showers are not far behind. While some of these are run-of-the-mill events, any time there is thunder involved, there is a potential for things to progress and become severe.

It is important to never ignore thunderstorms and keep these safety tips for warm-weather storms in mind.

Safety Tips for Warm-Weather Storms

Know your options for shelter. When you are aware that a storm is a possibility, you should stay home and seek shelter if at all possible in case things turn severe. When you are out and about when a sudden storm pops up, however, you may not have that luxury. Sheltering in your car is a viable option if a storm is in the area—just be sure to park safely, cut the engine and avoid touching metals in the car.

Practice electrical safety. As lightning strikes a building, it routes itself down the path of least resistance in order to reach the balancing charge of the ground—which often means it runs through a home’s electrical wiring system to do so. This can cause a power surge, which is when the charge overwhelms the system and runs through the outlets to anything plugged in. Running everything through your home and office through surge protectors is a great first step, but if you know a storm is coming, you can also unplug everything to be extra safe.

Avoid direct contact with concrete. Concrete is a solid construction material, but it can also transfer electrical charges quite efficiently depending on its construction. Most concrete structures will be reinforced with metal as they are poured, meaning that when lightning strikes, the metal can absorb the lightning’s energy and disperse it through the concrete. Avoid leaning against a concrete wall or sitting on a concrete floor when lightning is in the area.

Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. If a quick storm has put your plans on hold, clear skies may signal that it is time to resume your activities. However, lightning has been known to strike across 25 miles, so even if the storm is in the distance, the lightning can still be a hazard. For safety, wait at least 30 minutes after a thunder clap before heading back outside.

If your home sustains damage due to a storm, you can count on us to help. Contact us at any hour to learn more about our storm restoration process.