ORLANDO, Fla. – Every year, lightning strikes cause house fires, power surges, and costly property damage.
It happened just last week in Ormond Beach — but the good news is, many of these impacts are preventable.
Knowing how to properly protect your home is key. And just as importantly, it’s time to clear up the myths that often get in the way of making smart safety choices.
[WATCH BELOW: Lightning blamed for a house fire in Seminole County]
Let’s start with the basics. What actually protects your home from lightning?
The answer? According to the National Lightning Safety Council, a properly installed Lightning Protection System (LPS) is your best defense.
It doesn’t stop lightning from striking—it safely directs it away from your home’s structure.
Here’s what that system includes:
- Air Terminals (a.k.a. lightning rods): Installed at the highest points of your home to intercept lightning before it hits vulnerable areas.
- Conductors: Heavy-duty wires that carry lightning energy safely to the ground.
- Ground Rods: These help disperse that energy deep into the soil where it can’t do harm.
- Bonding: Connects metal systems (like pipes and wiring) to prevent dangerous electrical jumps, known as side flashes.
- Surge Protection Devices (SPDs): These don’t stop lightning—but they do help protect your appliances and electronics from the damaging surges that lightning causes.
When installed correctly, an LPS creates a direct, low-resistance path for lightning to follow, keeping it out of your walls, wires, and plumbing.
Now, let’s debunk some common lightning protection myths.
Myth No. 1: “Surge protectors are enough to protect my home.”
Reality: Standard power strip surge protectors can help protect your electronics from voltage spikes, but they won’t do anything to stop a direct strike. For real protection, SPDs must be part of a full lightning protection system.
Myth No. 2: “If lightning hits a tree, it’ll protect my house.”
Reality: Trees don’t shield homes—they can actually make things worse. Lightning can jump from a tree to a nearby roof or travel through roots into your home’s foundation.
Myth No. 3: “Only tall buildings get struck by lightning.”
Reality: Lightning often strikes the tallest object nearby—but even average-sized homes in open areas are at risk. Your house doesn’t have to be a skyscraper to be vulnerable.
Myth No. 4: “Lightning rods attract lightning.”
Reality: Lightning rods don’t attract lightning—they safely intercept it if a strike is already going to occur. Think of them as the best exit route for a threat you can’t control.
Myth No. 5: “I’m safe doing anything indoors during a storm.”
Reality: You’re safer inside than out—but lightning can still travel through plumbing and wiring. Avoid using corded phones, touching faucets, or standing near windows during storms.
Lightning is unpredictable, but protecting your home doesn’t have to be. By relying on science—not myths—you can take meaningful steps to minimize risk and keep your household safe.
- Have a certified LPS installed by a professional who follows NFPA 780 standards (the national benchmark for lightning safety).
- Invest in surge protection at both the panel level and for individual high-value devices.
- Schedule regular inspections to ensure everything is working as it should, especially after a strong storm.
- Practice storm safety indoors by staying away from water and wired devices until the storm passes.
A lightning protection system isn’t about fear—it’s about smart, preventative design that keeps you one step ahead of the storm.
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