After having 2 replace two modems and 3 power strips, you can rest assured my computer and machines are unplugged at the first sign of a storm. For some weird reason, the lightening loves to come through our underground phone line. I don't talk on the phone in a storm either. :lol:

Yikes, I may start being more careful!

Seeing as my sewing machine cost more than any of our other electronic equipment, it's only plugged when I'm actually using it...and certainly never if there's a storm around. All other times it's completely unplugged.

I also unplug the computer ...and the tv and stereo equipment....and my clavinova, when there's storms around.

Oh, and they're all on surge boards as well, but I still unplug them in the event of a storm

I asked a similar question in August. You might want to see the answers I got from that. :)
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-142254-1.htm

I work for an Electric Company and belive me..unplug them!!

We just had a whole house surge protector installed. I thought that with my longarm, sewing machines, computers it was a good investment. Oh yes, it will protect DH's TV too. ;-) And wouldn't you know we had a lightning storm the night before the surge protector was to be installed! I went around unplugging things.

Power strips can have surge protection but they are useless against big surges, such as lightning hits. Even with the whole house surge protection, you are advised to use surge protector power strips on your sensitive electronics, because the whole house surge protector only protects from external surges, not from internal ones.

I own an old fashioned treadle sewing machine so I can keep on sewing despite the storms... I also unplug computers and appliances of all sorts (except fridge and washing machine) because I have heard horror stories about electrical systems going bad.

I lost a few appliances in storms. Now I just unplug everything and light a few candles and do some hand work. :)

A washing machine repair man told me about a lightning strike that welded a washer & dryer together. They had to cut them apart to remove them.

Well, I thought perhaps I was being terribly old-fashioned... Guess I will continue to unplug my Bernina. Although I don't use my computer during storms - even though it's almost brand new - I don't usually unplug it. Much as I enjoy the internet, I LOVE my sewing machine.