Although most modern homes are equipped with circuit breakers and sometimes surge protectors, these devices do not guarantee complete protection. In France, as elsewhere, lightning can directly strike a building, a nearby tree, or, more often, power or telephone lines from a distance. The electricity generated can then travel along the cables to your meter and connected appliances.
Every year, French homes suffer damage: broken televisions, damaged refrigerators, and fried computers, often due to power surges caused by thunderstorms. As common sense tells us, prevention is better than cure. The safest course of action remains to physically unplug appliances before the weather becomes too threatening.
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