The city of Austin is getting its fair share of news lately for dealing with ‘grumpy and loud’ weather conditions. The metro area has experienced quite a few lightning strikes which have caused damage to properties. KXAN.com solicited the views of home experts on how to prevent this from happening:
Several families are working to reconstruct their lives after lightning strikes led to at least three damaging fires overnight.
Experts say there are some things you can do not only to protect your house from lightning strikes, but also your belongings..
“If it hits the phone line it might come out through the phone, then it’s going to hit the next closest thing to the phone,” said Kyle Renna, a licensed insurance claims adjuster with Austin Realty Executives. “It can be a person’s foot, it can be a piece of electrical equipment. It could be a pet.”
Without the proper protection, Renna says a lightning damage can quickly run up a giant bill.
Many of us may not be familiar with the dangers of lightning strikes, but such weather phenomena can actually wreak severe damage and endanger our lives. Thus, homeowners ought to adapt precautionary measures and learn about the right safety procedures. Here are a couple of things you can do in preparation:
Unplug your appliances and other electronic equipment during thunderstorms.
A lightning bolt contains up to 1 billion of volts, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory. Appliances which are plugged in can impose great harm to your household if lightning strikes your house and courses through the electrical circuits.
Use fire resistant housing materials.
Utilizing fire resistant housing materials like asphalt shingles for your roofing in Austin can lessen the chance that your house would be completely burned down from a lightning strike.
Seek the help of a professional like Willi Roofing Services, a specialist for residential and commercial roofing in Austin, and ask about products known for their superb durability, such as the GAF Advanced Protection Technology.
(Article Excerpt From Measures could help prevent extensive lightning damage to your home, possessions, kxan.com, May 13, 2014)
