Not every safety device is safe when lightning strikes
Attention, Pet Owners! This Is the One Electronic You Must Unplug to Stay Safe in a Thunderstorm
Updated on Jul. 30, 2025
It wasn’t outdated wiring. It wasn’t an overloaded outlet. When a home in Westport, Connecticut, caught fire during a fast-moving summer thunderstorm earlier this month, the source turned out to be far more unexpected—especially for pet owners.
Turns out, one device meant to keep your furry friend safe might be putting your entire house at risk. And if you’re a dog owner and a homeowner, you probably have it running right now. Read on to find out what it is, along with expert tips on how to stay safe in a thunderstorm.
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What item is it essential for pet owners to unplug before a thunderstorm?
In Westport, firefighters battled a fire sparked by lightning strikes in a fast-moving storm. It started when a bolt hit an underground electric pet fence, sometimes called an invisible fence, triggering a surge that damaged parts of the home.
“Electric pet fences are especially risky,” said Fire Marshal Terry Dunn in an interview with the Westport-Weston Daily Voice. “If lightning strikes nearby, it can travel through that wiring, damage your home and potentially start a fire.”
Unlike many home appliances, these systems are always on, always connected and often overlooked. But the solution is simple: “It takes just a few seconds to unplug the system when a storm is on the way—and it’s a smart precaution,” Dunn said.
Don’t worry, most systems have battery backup, so if you unplug yours ahead of a big storm and are not home to bring your dog inside, your pet will stay secure even when the main unit is offline. But it goes without saying that bringing your pet inside is the smartest move during a thunderstorm.
How else can you keep your home safe during a thunderstorm?
Unplugging invisible dog fences isn’t the only way to keep your home safe. Experts also recommend the following when a storm is approaching.
Unplug your computer, phone and tablet
It’s easy to assume that if your laptop isn’t actively charging (but is still plugged in), you’re in the clear. But lightning doesn’t care if your battery is at 100%; a nearby strike can still send power surges through your home’s wiring, frying devices and flipping circuit breakers.
Close your home’s doors
And we mean all the doors. “Closing exterior and interior doors, including the garage door, during a storm increases your home’s structural resilience and helps prevent wind from entering,” says Rachael Gauthier, a meteorologist with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Storm winds don’t just howl; they pressure your house from the inside out. By compartmentalizing rooms, you help reduce the risk of structural damage, especially to the roof.
Avoid running the taps
It’s not advisable to bathe, shower, wash dishes or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a home’s plumbing.
Maintain your roof
When it comes to weather damage, your roof is the MVP—and the most vulnerable. “It’s the first line of defense against wind and rain,” says Gauthier. Once it fails, everything else is up for grabs. Scan your roof for missing shingles or signs of wear. She warns that even a small breach can lead to water intrusion and mold. “Just one inch of rain hitting an exposed roof deck can equal nine bathtubs of water inside your home.”
Install a whole-home lightning protection system
These systems divert lightning from the home, providing a path for it to travel to the ground instead. It typically includes lightning rods, down conductors, a grounding system and surge protection devices. Work with a trusted electrician to handle any installation and consider starting with a surge-protection device, which is installed at the electrical panel, starting around $300. It’s another way to protect expensive appliances like your refrigerator, HVAC system and, yes, even that beloved air fryer.
Thunderstorms may be unpredictable, but protecting your home doesn’t have to be. From unplugging the electric pet fence to closing your doors to trimming a few branches, small steps go a long way. And the next time a summer storm rolls through, you’ll be ready.
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Sources:
- Westport-Weston Daily Voice: “Lightning Sparks House Fires, Damage To Multiple Westport Homes”
- Rachael Gauthier, a meteorologist at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
- CDC: “Safety Guidelines: Lightning”
