The hot days of summer often bring humidity and unstable atmospheric conditions that sometimes produce severe thunderstorms. It's always important to take action during these storms to keep you and your family safe, but there are risks to your home and belongings as well. The next time a thunderstorm comes rolling in, you may want to take steps to protect yourself from the hassle of a homeowner's insurance claim.

The biggest problem usually associated with lightning is a power surge. Electronic equipment such as televisions, computers and appliances are typically the victims when there is a close lightning strike. It's a good idea to plug electronic equipment into basic surge protectors to add a layer of protection. Whole house surge protectors are also an option for people who live where lightning strikes are common. If you're home when the storm is approaching, you can also unplug those devices to ensure their safety.

The actual structure of your house is also in danger during a lightning storm. A direct hit from a lightning bolt can easily start a fire, so if there is a close hit, be prepared to take action. Though not as common as they once were, if your house sits up on a hill or is out in the open, a lightning rod system can help protect you. Lightning rods provide a low-resistance path to ground that can be used to conduct the enormous electrical currents when lightning strikes occur. If lightning strikes, the system attempts to carry the harmful electrical current away from the structure and safely to the ground.

Lightning that hits nearby trees are also a risk to your home. Fallen trees and limbs can cause damage to the roof, windows and other parts of the structure. You may want to evaluate the trees close to your house to see if any pose a threat.

Depending on where you live, damage from lightning strikes may be a concern to keep in mind on humid summer days. Thankfully, homeowner's insurance does cover most damage caused by these powerful storms, but it's a good idea to be proactive and take steps that could prevent damage to avoid having to file a claim.

Protect your home, rain or shine. Call McFarlin Insurance Agency at (410) 312-7800 for more information on Columbia home insurance.