The sky turns dark without warning, the wind picks up, and the first lightning flashes appear on the horizon. Within seconds, most of us are doing three things: slamming windows shut, rescuing cushions from the patio — and frantically trying to remember whether we unplugged everything important.
Should the TV stay on? What about the fridge? And is unplugging the washing machine actually necessary, or is that just a household myth that sends us running from room to room for no reason?
The answer isn't completely black and white. Lightning can cause power surges that travel through your home's electrical wiring and damage connected devices — even ones far from where the strike actually hit. The National Weather Service recommends unplugging electrical devices before a storm arrives, and it's advice worth taking seriously.
That said, you don't need to throw yourself behind the refrigerator and yank out every cord you can reach. Here's what actually matters.
First things first: don't start unplugging things mid-storm
This is more important than it sounds. If the storm is already raging outside, do not start touching power strips, cables, and outlets. According to the National Weather Service, a lightning-induced power surge can damage electronics at a significant distance from the actual strike point.
If you want to unplug something, do it before the storm arrives — when you hear distant thunder but the living room isn't yet strobing with lightning flashes. Once it's already overhead, stay away from anything plugged in.
1. TV and home entertainment devices
Your television, gaming console, soundbar, streaming stick, and set-top box all contain sensitive electronics that are particularly vulnerable to power surges. Unplugging these before a serious storm is genuinely good practice.
The National Weather Service advises against touching any plugged-in electrical equipment during a thunderstorm — so the smart move is to disconnect everything you can while it's still safe to do so.
And yes, that includes the router and any HDMI cables trailing behind the TV stand. Don't forget those.
2. Computers, monitors, and other sensitive electronics
If your laptop is running on battery, it doesn't need to be powered down immediately — but the charger should absolutely be unplugged from the wall when a serious storm is approaching.
For desktop computers, monitors, printers, and anything else that stays plugged in around the clock, unplugging before the storm is a sensible precaution. A lightning surge doesn't need to strike your home directly to cause damage — the electrical charge can travel through the grid and fry your hardware from a surprising distance.
3. Coffee maker, toaster, air fryer — basically your entire kitchen counter
Here's some good news: these probably shouldn't be left plugged in all the time anyway.
Your coffee maker, toaster, kettle, blender, air fryer, stand mixer, and sandwich press should be unplugged after every use as a matter of habit. Before a storm, it's especially worth doing a quick sweep of the kitchen counter.
Manufacturers consistently recommend keeping small portable appliances unplugged when not in use. It takes five minutes — and it beats staring at a brand-new air fryer that won't turn on because you left it plugged in during a lightning storm.
4. Hair dryer, straightener, and other bathroom devices
Hair dryers, flat irons, curling wands — none of these should live permanently in a socket. During a storm, that goes double.
Lightning safety guidelines recommend avoiding both electrical appliances and plumbing during a thunderstorm. That means skipping the shower, the bath, and the last-minute hair styling session until the storm passes.
Put simply: if there's thunder outside, it's not the moment for a blowout.
5. Vacuum cleaner and steam cleaner
These are the appliances we're all guilty of pushing back into the closet with the cord still plugged in. That's worth changing as a general habit — not just before storms.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) recommends keeping portable and floor-care appliances like vacuums and steam cleaners unplugged when they're not in use. A coming storm is a good reminder to actually do it.
6. Washing machine and dryer — a bit more nuance here
Large household appliances are a different story. According to AHAM, for an average thunderstorm, you don't necessarily need to unplug your washer, dryer, dishwasher, or range — these machines are built and tested to handle the kinds of electrical fluctuations that occur under normal use conditions.
That said, if an unusually severe storm is forecast — with intense lightning, hail, or high winds — and the plug is easily accessible, disconnecting these appliances is a reasonable extra step. If it's difficult to reach, don't put yourself at risk trying.
7. The fridge and freezer? Leave them plugged in
Here's the one appliance you should not unplug during a typical storm.
The whole point of your fridge and freezer is to run continuously. If the power does go out, the most important rule is: keep the doors closed. A fully packed freezer, kept shut, can maintain a safe frozen temperature for around 48 hours — a half-full one for roughly 24 hours.
For the fridge, aim to keep the temperature at or below 40°F (4°C), and check that food is still safe to eat after any extended outage. The bottom line: don't crawl behind the refrigerator before a storm. It's doing its job just fine right where it is.
One more thing most people forget
Electrical devices aren't the only concern during a thunderstorm.
Safety guidelines recommend staying away from windows, water pipes, the shower, the bathtub, and the kitchen sink while lightning is active. So if it's thundering and flashing outside, now is not the time to start washing dishes, loading the washing machine, or jumping in the shower.
It's also worth drawing the curtains — especially in high winds. If a window breaks, closed curtains can help contain flying glass.
Quick reference: what to unplug before a storm
Unplug these:
- TV and gaming consoles
- Computer, monitor, and printer
- Router and other sensitive electronics
- Coffee maker and toaster
- Air fryer and blender
- Stand mixer and kettle
- Hair dryer and styling tools
- Vacuum cleaner and steam cleaner
- Any small appliance not currently in use
These don't need to be unplugged for an average storm:
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Range or oven
The real takeaway isn't that you need to spend half an hour unplugging everything every time a cloud appears. It's that small electrical appliances shouldn't be left plugged in unnecessarily in the first place — and before a serious storm, sensitive electronics deserve a quick disconnect. As for the fridge: leave it alone. It has more important things to do right now, like protecting last night's leftovers.
Does unplugging devices actually protect them from lightning?
Yes — unplugging devices before a storm removes them from the electrical circuit entirely, which means a lightning-induced power surge cannot travel through the wiring and reach them. It's one of the most effective protections available for sensitive electronics.
Is it safe to unplug things while a storm is already happening?
No. If the storm is already overhead and lightning is active, you should avoid touching any plugged-in devices or outlets. The time to unplug is before the storm arrives, when you hear distant thunder but conditions are still calm indoors.
Why shouldn't I unplug the refrigerator during a storm?
The refrigerator is designed to run continuously, and unplugging it unnecessarily puts your food at risk. A fully loaded freezer kept closed can hold a safe temperature for up to 48 hours if the power goes out — so it's better to leave it running and only open the door when absolutely necessary.
Do I need a surge protector if I unplug devices before every storm?
Unplugging is the most reliable option, but a quality surge protector offers everyday protection for devices that stay plugged in, such as your TV or computer setup. For appliances you can't always unplug in time, a surge protector is a worthwhile investment.
