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What to Do When Lightning Strikes: How to Protect Your Home, Business, and Family

Lightning strikes are powerful, unpredictable, and potentially devastating. Each year, lightning causes fires, power surges, structural damage, and serious injuries across the United States. Knowing what to do during and after a lightning strike—and how to protect your property ahead of time—can make the difference between minor inconvenience and major loss.

This guide explains immediate safety steps, post-strike actions, and the best long-term lightning protection solutions for homes, businesses, churches, farms, and other structures.

What to Do During a Lightning Strike

If lightning is actively striking in your area, your first priority is safety.

Stay Indoors and Avoid Conductive Materials

  • Stay away from windows, doors, and concrete walls
  • Avoid using corded phones and plugged-in electronics
  • Do not touch plumbing, faucets, or metal fixtures
  • Avoid showering or washing dishes during a storm

If You’re Outside

  • Seek shelter inside a fully enclosed building or vehicle
  • Avoid open fields, tall trees, poles, and metal objects
  • Do not lie flat on the ground
  • If no shelter is available, crouch low with feet together and minimize ground contact

What to Do Immediately After Lightning Strikes Your Property

Even if a lightning strike doesn’t cause visible damage, it can still create hidden hazards.

Check for Fire or Smoke

Lightning frequently causes fires in attics, walls, and electrical systems. If you notice:

  • Smoke
  • Burning smells
  • Tripped breakers

Call emergency services immediately and do not re-enter the structure until it is deemed safe.

Inspect Electrical Systems

  • Turn off power if you suspect damage
  • Do not touch damaged outlets or wiring
  • Have a licensed electrician inspect the system

Document the Damage

  • Take photos of visible damage
  • Record damaged electronics or appliances
  • Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible

Why Lightning Protection Is the Best Long-Term Solution

The most effective way to protect against lightning damage is to install a professional lightning protection system. These systems are designed to intercept, conduct, and safely dissipate lightning energy into the ground, preventing fires, surges, and structural damage.

How Lightning Protection Systems Work

A complete system typically includes:

  • Air terminals (lightning rods) to capture strikes
  • Conductors to safely direct energy
  • Grounding electrodes to disperse energy into the earth
  • Bonding to prevent side flashes
  • Surge protection devices (SPDs) to protect electronics

When properly installed, these systems significantly reduce the risk of damage from both direct and indirect lightning strikes.

Structures That Need Lightning Protection Most

Lightning protection is especially important for:

  • Homes in storm-prone or coastal areas
  • Commercial buildings and office complexes
  • Churches and religious buildings
  • Farms, barns, and agricultural facilities
  • Historic structures
  • Schools and healthcare facilities
  • Properties with tall roofs, steeples, or metal features

The Importance of Professional Installation

Lightning protection systems should always be installed by trained professionals and designed to meet:

  • NFPA 780 standards
  • UL (Underwriters Laboratories) requirements

Improper installation can reduce effectiveness or create additional hazards. A professional assessment ensures your structure receives customized protection based on its size, height, and location.

Additional Ways to Protect Your Property from Lightning

In addition to a full lightning protection system, consider:

  • Whole-house surge protection
  • Grounding system inspections
  • Regular maintenance and system testing
  • Tree management around structures
  • Protection for solar panels, generators, and antennas

When to Schedule a Lightning Protection Assessment

You should consider a professional lightning protection evaluation if:

  • Your property has experienced a previous lightning strike
  • You’ve noticed frequent power surges or equipment damage
  • You live in a high-lightning region
  • Your building is tall, isolated, or highly visible
  • You want to reduce fire risk and insurance claims

Protect Your Property Before the Next Storm

Lightning strikes don’t come with warnings—but preparation saves lives and property. Installing a professionally designed lightning protection system is a proactive investment that provides peace of mind, protects valuable assets, and significantly reduces risk.

If you’re concerned about lightning damage or want to learn more about protection options, schedule a professional lightning protection consultation today and take control before the next storm hits.