It’s National Lightning Safety Awareness Week (June 21 – June 27, 2026), a national reminder to stay safe during thunderstorms and prepare your home for any potential impacts of severe weather. Michigan summers can shift quickly, bringing a mix of high heat, humidity and severe thunderstorms. These changing conditions can increase the risk of power surges and outages.
Lightning strikes and sudden power surges can damage appliances, TVs, gaming systems and other home devices in the blink of an eye. Take these simple steps now to help protect what matters most.
Lightening safety checklist
Before a storm hits, make sure you:
- Plan ahead by knowing where you’ll go for safety and how long it’ll take to get there
- When thunder roars, go indoors and avoid windows
- Charge phones and backup batteries ahead of severe weather
- Avoid using corded electronics and plumbing during lightning
- Report downed power lines immediately and stay at least 20 ft away
- Wait at least 30 minutes after the last roaring thunder before returning outside
Keep your home protected from unexpected surges
Even with the right precautions, power surges can still occur. DTE has a variety of Surge Protection plans to fit your household needs, to help shield your expensive household devices in the event of a power surge. To compare our Surge Protection Plans and find the right solution for your household needs, check out this link: Compare Surge Protection Plans | DTE Energy.
Ask yourself:
- Have you experienced outages or flickering lights during storms?
- Would replacing a damaged appliance or electronic put a strain on your budget?
If so, added protection may be worth considering. Remember, simple steps today can help reduce costly damage tomorrow.
SPECIAL OFFER: Celebrate National Lightning Safety Awareness Week by taking steps to protect your home. From June 22 through July 31, 2026, DTE customers can receive a free device installation on select plans, up to $100 in savings, when you enroll in our Whole Home or Surge Protection Plus programs. Some restrictions apply. For offer details and disclosures, visit dteenergy.com/surge to learn more! For more information about national lightning safety awareness week, click here.
