Avoiding the storyline in Strangerville - Looking for advice and answers (No spoilers)

I also have a question regarding this and I don't want to create a new thread when this one exists...

I have over 20 household and I can't decide which household to start on the storyline just yet so I am glad to find out from this thread that I don't have to start the storyline just yet. But I am curious of two things?

The minor effects from the storyline; does it crop up in other neighbourhoods/worlds like Willow Creek or the city or is the strangeness limited to Strangerville itself?

Is it possible to accidentally start the storyline? As I am an accidental prone in both RL and in gaming environment :frowning: :blush: ...anything I have to avoid?