Guest Column | Tips to protect electronics from power surges
Thunderstorms deliver powerful bolts of lightning that are both mesmerizing and dangerous. Southwest Floridians know it’s time to head indoors when they hear thunder from approaching storms.
While we’re safe with a roof over our heads, our electronics are not. Lightning causes a sudden spike in electrical voltage that alters the normal flow of electricity to a home or business. Voltage normally rises and falls in a predetermined rhythm, and typically systems can handle minor surges or drops when appliances like an A/C unit or dryer kick on and off. This time of year, though, lightning is incredibility strong and can generate voltage surges that overload the power grid. It’s a period of the year when electronics and appliances are extremely susceptible to damage from power surges.
A single lightning bolt can produce immediate, devastating impacts to electronic devices, including fried circuits, melted internal components and corrupted data. Even if a power surge doesn’t immediately ruin a device, it can degrade performance over time and shorten its lifespan. While it’s common knowledge that power surges are troublesome for computers, televisions, copy machines, overhead projectors and office equipment, anything plugged into an electric outlet is potentially at risk.
This includes:
• Computer accessories: printers, webcams, selfie lights
• Mobile devices: Cell phones or tablets connected to chargers
• Household appliances: Refrigerators, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, washers/dryers, vacuums, lamps, radios
• Gaming systems: Units, controllers, cameras
One lightning strike can destroy all data and files stored on a computer’s hard drive. That’s why it is important to always have a copy saved to “the cloud” or an external hard drive.
Below are six tips to protect electronics from a power surge:
(1) Download software updates when prompted. The patches and fixes include how devices regulate power and maintain battery health.
(2) Keep electronics away from water and store batteries where they can be accessed during an emergency, but not damaged if water leaks through a window or door.
(3) Unplug electronics that aren’t regularly used.
(4) Purchase new power strips and surge protectors. Old surge protectors lose their protective capabilities over time.
(5) Schedule an electrical inspection. An experienced electrician can ensure a property’s grounding system meets current electronical codes. While this helps protect devices and appliances, most importantly, it protects families, employees and customers from potential fire risks if lightning causes a spike in voltage.
(6) Consider a whole-home or whole-business surge protector. These systems are installed at the main electric panel and protect the outer border, and thus everything inside. Power strips cannot be used on major appliances like A/C systems, refrigerators or washers and dryers, so investing in a whole-home or whole-business surge protection system is an investment that ensures your biggest – and most expensive – devices are protected.
Florida has earned many nicknames over the years, including “Lightning Capital of the World,” and Southwest Florida might just be the epicenter. According to researcher AEM, the five-county region of Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades had 724,617 lightning flashes in 2025. It’s inevitable at some point that lightning will strike nearby. A small investment today – financial and time – could determine whether your devices will keep functioning and data will be accessible after the storm passes.
John Joyce is CEO and co-owner of CRS Technology Consultants, a Fort Myers-based IT company that specializes in security and innovation for businesses. For more information, please visit CRSTC.com or call 239-542-8450.