Home

When lightning strikes: How to stay safe

lightning striking on sky

Although your chances of being struck by lightning in a given year are only around 1 in 500,0001, it's always a good idea to use caution when the forecast calls for thunderstorms. Here's how to keep your home and your family safe. 

Protect your family

  • Get off high ground, away from tall trees, and don't stand in a crowd of people.
  • Stay away from all golf carts, all metal fences, machinery and other metal objects.
  • Avoid bodies of water, and if you are swimming or in a boat, head to shore.
  • If you are driving, remain in your car. It is one of the safest places to stay. Never ride a horse or bicycle in a thunderstorm.
  • Avoid using corded landline phones during a storm.
  • Lightning may enter a house through anything that conducts electricity. Unplug and do not handle electrical appliances during a storm, and stay away from all parts of the plumbing system.

Protect your property

For additional protection against lightning, you may choose to design a protective system to safeguard your home. Any system you choose should be in accordance with guidelines set forth by groups such as Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) and the National Fire Protection Association. Components of the system can include:

  • Lightning rods on the roof of your home and large trees around your home to control and redirect the damaging effects of lightening. The lightning rod system should be installed by a UL-listed company.
  • Voltage surge suppressors to limit the exposure of electronic equipment, such as computers, stereo systems and televisions, to excessive voltage spikes.
  • Surge arresters to help divert power surges along the utility lines away from source equipment.

Insights and expertise

We help you stay ahead and informed with these helpful tips and tricks for protecting your home, car, and more.
drinking water
Maintaining a healthy home: A conversation between Well Living Lab and Chubb
A healthy living environment with air purifiers and water filtration systems can reduce the risk of health issues and improve comfort in your home.
couple moving boxes
8 tips for a seamless moving experience
If you’re moving to a new home, be prepared with these tips—from hiring a professional moving company to taking extra care of your pets.
Why a 4-point inspection is essential for Florida homeowners
Why a 4-point inspection is essential for Florida homeowners
Many insurers require Florida homeowners to get a 4-point inspection including roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC before issuing or renewing a policy.
man watching the snowy view inside
10 ways to protect your home against cold weather
As winter fast approaches, it’s time to prepare your home for the cold weather. By accomplishing these 10 simple tasks, you can increase your home’s energy efficiency and protect it against damage caused by rain, snow and freezing temperatures.
Protecting your home from extreme heat
Take these key steps to prevent damage to your home and belongings from heat waves.
tornado
Preparing for nature’s wrath: Steps to take before a tornado strikes
Learn best practices for protecting your family and home during tornado season.
person-with-a-checklist-on-home-inventory
Protecting what tells your story: A conversation about why home inventories matter
By creating and maintaining an accurate, detailed home inventory, you can feel confident that you have the right coverage and have the documentation needed to recover from a loss.
happy dog
Help protect your pets with an animal evacuation plan
Planning for your pets’ safety is a critical part of emergency preparedness.

Get a personal insurance quote

Work with an independent agent to get personalized insurance solutions.