Over the last 24 hours there have been reports of Orange alert over France and Paris in particular.  Many parts of France, our region included Dept 79, experienced fantastic temperatures on Sunday afternoon with glorious sunshine and blue skies. We have craved them for weeks.  In a short time span storms have brewed. 

Thunderstorms are indeed fascinating but at the same time best never to forget how unpredictable storms can be  and the havoc that can be caused  in a very short space of time.  Making sure your home is safe and being prepared at a moment's notice can help ensure that your home does not  suffer greatly when at the mercy of Mother Nature's elements.

Keep in a safe place torches, candles and matches where they can be easily located in the event of a power cut.

Switch off TVs, computers, telephones.  Unfortunately, 2 years ago, a homeowner in Les Alleuds had a lightning strike on their telephone pole and the surge travelled through their line and through their computer. At that time appliances had no surge protection.  IF your electrical installation is properly earthed, a surge protected extension lead will ensure that only the fuse in the extension lead is blown, averting a surge to your equipment and damaging your PC, telephone or other appliance connected to your extension lead.

Are all water sources with metal pipes adequately protected with earth bonding?  Lightning  can flow through pipes. If you have your hand on a tap at the time of a lightning strike hitting your property and your pipes are not appropriately bonding, you will receive the strike too.

All electrical and metallic equipment should have an earth connection.  This connection should be wired back to the fuse board  which travels down the main earth cable to the earth rod and down to the ground. The earth rod is a metal stake which is either 1m or 1.5m and completely buried in the ground. 

Check where your electrical supplies are and that they can be turned off if need be.

If you have any concerns about your earthing, please do not hesitate to seek the advice of a qualified electrician to carry out a simple earth resistance test.