The FireSafetyProtectionPro

Post-Thunderstorm Fire Checklist

Inside Your Home

• Check attic space for presence of smoke or fire
• Check electrical panel for signs of lightning damage
• Check electrical outlets for signs of electrical surge
• Check electrical powered equipment and appliances that are connected to home electrical system.  Look for melted wires or plugs—both at the wall outlet or power strip and the appliance itself.  Pay attention to any smells of burning rubber or plastic.
• Televisions
• Radios
• Alarm clocks
• Computers
• Computer peripherals, e.g., printers, scanners, etc.
• Kitchen appliances
• Laundry room appliances
• Workshop/garage area

Outside Your Home

• Check the roof and any chimneys for physical signs of a lightning strike or smoke or fire
• Check surrounding trees for any lightning damage.  (The current from a lighting strike to a tree can travel down the tree, through the tree’s root system, “jump” over to the underground electrical cable running to the house, and BOOM—blow the electrical meter off the house.)

If you find anything out of the ordinary, call 9-1-1 and report the fire to your local fire department.  Any firefighter would rather come out to your home and check out a problem early rather than later after your house is on fire!