Do you still use the computer when it's lightning outside?

[DisneyFan32WI]

My Dh just called and told us to get off all electronics because we have severe storms coming.
I remember my mom & dad telling me to get off the phone when there was lightning (when I was in my teens).

Of course, I am still on the computer right now because I am stubborn. What do you guys do??

 

[rodeo65]

I use a laptop, so I just disconnect it from the power source. DH has a surge protector on his desktop and continues to use it during storms.

 

[waltsgirl]

Ditto- unplug the laptop and keep going...

 

[abdmom]

I can tell you from experience that a surge protector won't protect a computer from a lightning strike.

 

[SookieStackhouse]

Yes, I use my macbook off the battery and wireless internet connection.

 

[diznygirl]

Love my laptop here in Florida!

 

[scrapquitler]

My Dh just called and told us to get off all electronics because we have severe storms coming.
I remember my mom & dad telling me to get off the phone when there was lightning (when I was in my teens).

Of course, I am still on the computer right now because I am stubborn. What do you guys do??

It's lightning right now here. I'm using my laptop (though I did disconnect from the plug). Lets see, the TiVo is still recording, the TV is still on, DH is watching the TV and DVD player in the the other room. I usually don't worry about it too much.

I did tell my son to wait until the morning to shower. My grandmother always said that you should never shower in a thunderstorm, and I can't get past that one.

Of course she also told me I couldn't use scissors during thunderstorms, too. I guess I'd get hit by lightning because of holding them. I don't worry about the scissors anymore.

 

[pilotwife_02]

Like others, I just unplug it from the power source and keep going!

 

[tvguy]

I turn off my desk top, and my DVR/Satellite receiver. Not a big issue here in Northern California, but we have family in south eastern Texas, and they have had lightning strikes that fried everything electronic that was turned on. Fridge, TV, VCR, Computer, A/C unit, microwave and even the bug zapper in the backyard. Yes, homeowners insurance will pay, but they pay depreciated value, not replacement cost. $15,000 of stuff got fried, insurance only paid $10,000.

 

[laurie31]

I turn off my desk top, and my DVR/Satellite receiver. Not a big issue here in Northern California, but we have family in south eastern Texas, and they have had lightning strikes that fried everything electronic that was turned on. Fridge, TV, VCR, Computer, A/C unit, microwave and even the bug zapper in the backyard. Yes, homeowners insurance will pay, but they pay depreciated value, not replacement cost. $15,000 of stuff got fried, insurance only paid $10,000.

Unless you pay extra for replacement costs on your policy.

Everything in DD14's room got fried during the April 27 tornado and we got whatever it would cost to buy a comparable new item to replace what we lost.

The biggie wasn't the electronics though, but the fenced-in backyard and our sidewalk. Depreciated value would have only patched it. Since we have replacement costs, we get a whole new one. Whenever we can get the contractor to call back and give us an estimate. Sigh.

Sorry, back to the topic.

I, too, am afraid to shower or talk on a landline phone during a thunderstorm. Never heard the thing about scissors, though. Maybe they are like a mini-lightening rod? lol (j/k!!!)

 

[low-key]

I keep mine plugged in and keep going

 

[mommasita]

I tried tonight, but we got hit with violent storms. VIOLENT. We lost power for over 4 hrs from almost the start of it..

All you could hear was sirens. I hope nothing major happened anywhere. There should be lots of reports by the morning.

 

[tvguy]

Unless you pay extra for replacement costs on your policy.

If replacement cost coverage is available. My in laws couldn't find any company that even offered it after Hurricane Rita hit.
Right now with the economy the way it is, where they live, the cost of repairing a house can exceed what it's worth too!

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

When I was a kid, my grandma always unplugged the tv. When they lived in AZ, lightening ran in on the tv and caught the rug on fire.

My battery is dead in my laptop, so I am using a surge protector. I think NC is second only to FL for lightening strikes.

Was always told growing up not to shower during a storm or turn the faucet on. Don't know if that's protecting anyone, but I have passed this rule down to my kids.

 

[SandrA9810]

With landlines, if the lines are run above ground, then I'd stay off of it. Because you're not talking about just the device in your hand, but all the lines that run to it.

I lived in FL, and never once lost anything to a power surge. Although I did like using surge protectors. I don't turn off electronics, just cause thunderstorms can last for hours, but I do stay off a land line phone.

 

[quasar4legs]

I tried tonight, but we got hit with violent storms. VIOLENT. We lost power for over 4 hrs from almost the start of it..

All you could hear was sirens. I hope nothing major happened anywhere. There should be lots of reports by the morning.

Must be a BIG storm, we lost power for over an hour in Sydney Australia

I was home alone and was sitting in the dark (couldn't find a torch) and within 30 mins I started talking to myself. I felt like Tom Hanks in Castaway.
In case anyone is interested my coffee table is now named Wilson.

I always stay on the computer in a storm but don't talk on the phone

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I can tell you from experience that a surge protector won't protect a computer from a lightning strike.

Depends on the surge protector...some surge protectors also have a lightning arrestor circuit - also if you have a whole house surge protector that could work too. Most "power strips" lead people to believe it is a surge protector...for the most part they are a fancy extension cord with multiple outlets. If you want real surge protection you need to look at things from Panamax and Furman.

I had a similar experience not a lightning strike but a series of transformers blew and took out my surge protector...it did it's job and none of my connected equipment was damaged. I know of several people in my neighborhood who had damaged tv's and other electronics as a result.

But as far as unplugging or turning off devices goes, yeah it helps - I think with a laptop you'd be fine.

 

[jen0610]

Depends on the surge protector...some surge protectors also have a lightning arrestor circuit - also if you have a whole house surge protector that could work too. Most "power strips" lead people to believe it is a surge protector...for the most part they are a fancy extension cord with multiple outlets. If you want real surge protection you need to look at things from Panamax and Furman.

I had a similar experience not a lightning strike but a series of transformers blew and took out my surge protector...it did it's job and none of my connected equipment was damaged. I know of several people in my neighborhood who had damaged tv's and other electronics as a result.

But as far as unplugging or turning off devices goes, yeah it helps - I think with a laptop you'd be fine.

We larned about this on the TV show Holmes on Homes. Said for the cost of them, they were worth their weight in gold. His own home got hit with a lighting strike and they have to replace all their electrical equipment - every single major appliance included.

So ya, when it's lighting out, the kids have to get off their stuff and pull the plug on the entainment power stripe. The tv in the family room, I will leave on, as it's almost 12 years old so if it gets zapped, it won't bother me as much as it would if the nicer stuff the kids have in their rooms got zapped.

 

[LilyWDW]

I unplug everything, but it's because I am paranoid. I don't want to go through the hassle of getting stuff replaced if I have bad luck. It would be covered (we have replacement cost on our home insurance), I just don't want to have to do it. So, I just unplug everything. Not a big deal, I can read or listen to my MP3 player.

 

[Princess_Meghan <3]

We stay off the phones, and typically shut the desktop down. We had a desktop get fried when lightning stuck one time, and ever since then, it gets shut down when theres a storm. laptops typically stay on if they're not charging, and the tv stays on until the cable stops working.