Lightning Causes Fires Too!
7/5/2019 (Permalink)
Lightning peaks during the summer months around June – August here in Massachusetts. Lightning – related fires typically happen during the late afternoon and evening.
A simple Google search returns numerous counts of lightning fires that have occurred in our state in the recent years. One of the highest profiles was in 2018 where a 150 year old church in Wakefield, Ma went up n flames after being struck by lightning.
Lightening is normally accompanied by a storm which turns the day into darkness and at times is followed by rumbles in the air. To some it’s a scary experience. What is most important and the purpose of this post is that you know what to do in the event you find yourself near or in a property that is in flames due to being struck by lightning.
How do you know if your home was struck by lightning – one insurance company states: Expect to hear an explosive sound so loud and powerful that everything inside your house shakes.
Because lightning storms are so common, many newly constructed homes have been designed to withstand lightening strikes. Most homes are also equipped with some sort of surge protection. It is still recommended that you are still extra cautious with these simple steps:
- Protect electrical equipment by unplugging them when you know a thunderstorm has surfaced.
- If you have to talk on the phone during a lightning storm its best to use your cell phone
- Stay away from windows and doors
- Stay away from water until the storm has passed
In the event you believe your home was struck most times a fire will follow. Call 911 if you suspect there is a fire in your home and get to a safe location.
After the storm assess the damages (if any) to determine if you need to put in a claim with your property insurance carrier. Once complete begin the remediation process by reaching out to a professional like us 617-903-5055! Although we cannot get what was lost back - Our job is to make it look like the fire never happened.
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