Put down the Playstation

Did your mom ever tell you that you shouldn’t talk on the phone during an electrical storm?  Kids today rarely hear that admonishment because of wireless phones, but there’s still one warning they should heed.  If there’s a lightning storm in the area, put down the PlayStation, the XBox, and any other video game console system which is plugged into an electrical outlet. We tend to think that we’re safe in our homes during a storm, but electricity can still travel through the wires of any electrical gadget which is plugged in.  Lightning recently struck a home in Connecticut, and the resulting surge of electricity left two boys playing “Guitar Hero” flat on their backs.  Other people have reported being shocked by their corded computer mice, and burned by a laptop computer.  While injuries have been minor, the potential for a more serious problem is always there, and your electronic equipment will die a violent and expensive death.  According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average claim for household damage caused by a lightning strike is in excess of $3000, and growing every year.

So, if you live in an area experiencing a lightning storm, turn off and unplug as many electronics as possible.  Small, inexpensive surge protectors won’t protect you against a lightning strike; for that, a surge protector which costs about $200 is required.  Just turn everything off during the storm, and read a good book.  If you have to read by candlelight, for goodness sake, don’t set the house on fire.

Posted by Leigh-Ann on 10/26 at 02:27 AM

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