Which appliances should be unplugged before a storm?

When a storm is forming offshore, most people typically focus on stocking up on food and water or securing outdoor items to minimize risk.

However, an important preparatory step that is often overlooked is unplugging electronic devices. In extreme weather conditions, sudden voltage surges due to short circuits or lightning strikes can severely damage expensive appliances such as TVs, computers, and refrigerators, or even cause fires and explosions.

A simple action like disconnecting the power at the right time can help you avoid losses of tens of millions of dong and protect the safety of your entire family. Below is a list of appliances that should be unplugged before a storm hits, along with important notes about the risk of power outages in extreme weather conditions.

Note: Never unplug appliances during a thunderstorm. Take precautions to protect your equipment several hours before the storm arrives.

These appliances need to be unplugged before the storm arrives.

According to Safe Electricity, you don't need to be directly struck by lightning for your home's electrical equipment to malfunction. Simply the voltage from the lightning propagating through power lines, telecommunication cables, and even plumbing systems is enough to cause serious damage.

"Always turn off and unplug electronic devices before a storm approaches; absolutely do not do so once the storm has begun," the Safe Electricity website warns. "Don't gamble the safety of your devices on surge protectors; unplugging them is the real protection."

According to electrical safety experts, disconnecting all electronic devices is not feasible in all situations, especially with large or fixed equipment. However, by planning ahead and clearly identifying the most vulnerable devices, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage, both to property and disruption to daily life, after a storm.

Devices that should be prioritized for unplugging include: Coffee makers; Desktop and laptop computers; Gaming consoles; Hair styling tools (dryers, straighteners, curling irons); Microwave ovens; Toasters; Televisions; Air fryers; Smart home devices such as speakers, cameras, and Wi-Fi routers.

These devices often have sophisticated electrical circuits that are vulnerable to damage from voltage surges.

Sudden voltage surges: A silent threat in thunderstorms.

A sudden voltage surge occurs when the electrical current spikes beyond safe limits, disrupting and sometimes destroying the electrical circuits in appliances. A lightning strike near a home can cause current to flow back into the household electrical system, damaging everything from small appliances to large systems like refrigerators, washing machines, and even central air conditioning systems.

Damage from electrical surges can range from mild to severe, depending on their source and intensity. A surge from lightning can burn out circuit boards or render equipment irreparable.

Therefore, unplugging is not just a simple precautionary measure, but the first and most effective line of defense protecting your electronic devices from natural disasters.

Other safety precautions when a storm approaches: It's not just about unplugging.

Disconnecting electronic devices is an important step in preparing for a storm, but it's not enough to guarantee absolute safety. According to Safe Electricity, people need to pay attention to several other protective measures to minimize the risk of accidents and damage:

Turn off the air conditioning system:During thunderstorms, voltage can surge suddenly and damage the compressor, the most expensive component in an air conditioning system. Proactively turning off this unit not only protects the hardware but also helps you avoid costly repairs that could amount to tens of millions of dong.

Avoid contact with water sources:During thunderstorms, water and plumbing systems become ideal conductors of electricity. Therefore, you should stay away from appliances such as sinks, washbasins, faucets, bathtubs, or any area with water pipes. Lightning strikes can travel through metal pipes and pose a serious danger to anyone in contact with water.

No washing dishes, no showering, no using the washing machine or dryer:These devices are connected to both the plumbing system and have electrical connections, making them dangerous "bridges" for lightning strikes to spread into the house. In particular, hair dryers can conduct electricity through metal vent pipes to the outside, increasing the risk of electric shock if an abnormal current flows in.

Adhering to these safety principles not only helps protect property but is also essential for safeguarding the lives of your entire family during severe weather. Once a storm has begun, ensure everyone stays indoors, away from windows, electrical appliances, and water sources until the storm has completely passed.