The Overlooked Items You Should Unplug Before a Storm Hits

When bad weather rolls into town, most people focus on tasks like gathering bottled water and charging their phones. But according to electricians, one of the smartest things you can do before a storm is to unplug certain electronics and appliances.

And no, just turning them off won’t cut the mustard. During lightning storms and other major grid disturbances, extra voltage can travel through your home’s electrical system in an instant, permanently damaging electronics and appliances. This can be avoided—if you know what to unplug.

Here's what they’d unplug before a storm, as well as why these items are commonly overlooked, according to licensed electricians.

The Most Impactful Flip to Switch

Want to be one and done? Mark Halberg, a licensed electrician at Prairie Electric, says the best course of action is actually the most extreme: flipping the main breaker at the panel. “It is the only 100 percent sure way to stop grid surges from reaching your equipment,” Halberg explains.

While you have to clear out your fridge and freezer first, our expert believes the inconvenience is worth it. "Saving a fridge full of food is not worth burning out your $10,000 heat pump or all the kitchen appliances," he says.

Modems and Routers

While most folks don't want to be without internet access during a storm, this is another case of the inconvenience being worth it. "Those sensitive circuit boards fry easily with the slightest voltage spike coming down the coax or power line," Halberg says. "I have seen clients with completely melted internet gateways after a nearby lightning strike." 

Modems and routers contain delicate internal components that are particularly vulnerable to sudden electrical surges. And since these devices are connected to both your home’s electrical system and your incoming communication lines, they have multiple pathways for surge damage. Even if the damage isn’t immediately obvious, a storm-related surge can weaken the equipment internally, leading to connectivity issues or total failure later on, our experts say. 

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TVs, Computers, and Other Expensive Electronics

Unfortunately, switching the TV off via your remote will not save it from a power surge. Tim Hodnicki, president and owner of Electrical Experts, says electronics (like your flatscreen) are still connected to your main electrical system as long as they are plugged into the wall. 

During a surge, excess voltage can overwhelm delicate internal components, damaging circuit boards, insulation, and wiring almost instantly. “I have pulled open TVs where the internal components look like charcoal briquettes even though the owner swore it was off,” Halberg explains. “The surge just forces its way through the line.”

Garage Door Openers

Garage door openers are another appliance many homeowners overlook. While they may not seem particularly delicate, modern garage systems have electronic logic boards that are highly susceptible to power surges and lightning-related voltage spikes.

Halberg says those logic boards die fast in these situations, so it’s imperative to unplug yours pre-storm unless you want to get trapped inside.

Space Heaters and Older Window Air Conditioner Units

Window units and space heaters can become serious fire hazards after a power surge, our experts stress. "Not only may they be electrified to the point that they’d be dangerous to touch," Hodnicki says, "but some devices may be so fried that they won’t turn off unless you unplug them," Hodnicki says. 

Halberg adds that this is because they pull "huge" amps, which means their internal wiring is susceptible to overheating quickly. "I have responded to calls where a window unit caught the drywall on fire after a power spike," he says. So it’s absolutely in your best interest to unplug them before a storm arrives. 

Large Household Appliances

Large household appliances are particularly vulnerable during storms because they require significant amounts of electricity to operate, Hodnicki explains. Refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, and dishwashers can all sustain damage if a major power surge moves through your home’s electrical system.

"Basically, anything electronic that remains plugged into your home’s electrical system is at risk of damage or destruction from a powerful storm," he says, "but it’s the ones that draw the most power that are most at risk."

Are Surge Protectors Enough?

Surge protectors can provide helpful protection for smaller electronics, but electricians caution against relying on them entirely. “Surge protectors are great for daily grid fluctuations, but useless against a direct lightning strike,” says Halberg. A standard power strip simply cannot absorb the immense energy carried by lightning.

Hodnicki explains that surge protectors can still help shield smaller devices (think chargers and laptops) from minor surges, as long as the protector itself is still functioning properly. Many models include an indicator light showing whether protection remains active.

For more complete protection, both of our experts recommend investing in a whole-home surge protector—but even then, unplugging valuable electronics during a severe weather event is the safest option.