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Thunder storms - continue to work? - scaredy cat

Posted: Jul 15, 2014

I've heard you shouldn't use your computer or phone during a thunder storm. What do you do? Stop working until it's over, or continue working and ignore the thunder and lightning?

I stop working - Scaredy Cat II

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I won't take a chance on getting fried through my headset.

I shut it all down and unplug. - Scaredy Cat II

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My priority is to protect the equipment I use (computer, transcriber, etc.) because if it gets hit and/or fried, I cannot work. MTSO is NOT going to pay for repair/replacement unless it is their equipment.

not scared of any old thunderstorm - sm

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I just carry on and the worst that's ever happened was the power went off, but my job was saved when I got back in. Never had lightening come through the headphones or anything like that.

I guess not, because you are - still alive.

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NM

Thunderstorms - sm

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All my transcription equipment is plugged into a UPS (uninterrupted power source/battery backup) and surge protector. Supposedly this should protect the equipment; maybe it has over the years already...no way of knowing for sure, I guess. Still, if the skies turn black, I hit the circuit breaker for my entire office and wait it out.

Lightning - annymouse

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I don't hesitate any more.. unplug....after losing 3 main boards/computers in 3 years due to lightning, (luckily had computer insurance, but still had down time).

You Are Correct - But..

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Those of us who live in heavy lightning areas for several months out of the year, may as well just not work on the computer. I live in SW Florida. Florida is the lightening capital of the world (or at least the U.S), and I would not be able to work the entire summer if I turned off every time.

That being said, I don't know what else to say. If your T-storms are not as severe and prolonged as what we have in our part of the country, you could turn off and just carry on after. Some of us have no choice and just work through the storm that could last for hours and hope for the best.

I personally have extremely curly hair, and don't relish the thought of even curlier hair, but being where I'm located, I may have to handle that trauma, LOL.

It depends on how close it is--sm - anon

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If it is right outside of my window, cracking, popping, shaking the house. I get off quick. My mom had told me a story of a transcriptionist at the time she was working who ended up deaf because of lightening travelling through her headset. This job is not worth that. The worst generally lasts around an hour here and I sign off during that time and get back on when I feel comfortable with it. Sometimes I make up the time and sometimes I just use my PTO to cover it.

Lightning strike on transformer cost me 2 computers. - Unstable (nm)

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d

lightning strike - me

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Your homeowner's might cover this. Probably minus a deductible, but if it is replacement value that might work out. Don't forget the cost of the programs on the machines (or at least I would try for that) and any equipment that might need to be updated for compatibility? Also, make sure any peripherals that were hooked up still function, which will be difficult because you don't have anything working to test them with, so sort of try to keep the claim "open."

I was at Best Buy purchasing new computer with 24 - hours. SM

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There is a device for about 35 dollars that could have saved me. My connections were many years old, apparently the protector device only lasts 1 year. I replaced my Laptop with a trade in second hand. Total 1,000 or so, and I do not want to put it on insurance but it will be write off as I am IC. Power company was referred to as a place to file a claim but their web site had no information and the person I talked to did not have information about natural disasters.

My programs became unstable, especially my word expander. Fatal flaw must have occurred from the power surge.

Storms - Better to stop

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I hate to stop if I am in the middle of something. A couple of times I was trying to finish what I was working on and I did feel electric shocks in my fingers. That was enough to send me flying. There was a bad one last night that made me jump out of my chair.

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