It’s best to prepare for storm damage ahead of time, especially in an area where hurricanes and intense storms are prevalent. Before the stormy season hits, you need to make sure your home and your family are ready in case you end up in the path of a strong storm. Electrical concerns are always something that you should take into account. Let’s take a look at some of the essential electrical safety tips that you should be aware of before a storm hits.
Unplug Appliances
Before the storm begins, it is important to ensure that non-essential electrical appliances are not plugged into an outlet. This includes televisions, phone chargers, computers, game systems, and kitchen appliances. If flooding occurs, put anything not plugged in on higher ground so that damage does not occur. Also, never plug back in during a storm, so ensure all phones are fully charged before the storm begins.
Assemble a Power Outage Kit
Prepare a kit for your family to use in case of an extended power outage in your area. Some of the essentials that you should include in the kit are:
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- Power bricks for charging phones
- Food and water
- Medications
- First aid supplies
Identify Potential Dangers
Before bad weather hits, it is important to audit your home to identify potential dangers. This will help you prepare for electrical hazards during the storm so your family can stay safe.
Lightning Strikes
Lightning strikes can be something to be aware of during a storm. If you are outside during the storm, don’t be near trees or metal items that could attract the lightning bolt. Lightning tends to hit the tallest object in the area, so go to a low point where lightning has a more challenging time reaching.
If you are inside during the storm, lightning strikes could cause tree branches to fall around your property. Ensure there are no loose branches close to your home that could damage the roof. To ensure safety, stay away from windows and avoid contact with electrical equipment and water during the storm. Also, don’t use a wired phone.
Flooding
Flooding can occur during a storm. If there is electricity nearby, the water entering your home could be potentially dangerous to your family. In Virginia, one of the main areas that floods is the basement. If water seeps into the bottom floor of your home, don’t step into it if it rises above any of the electrical outlets. This could energize the water, resulting in electrocution.
You should also never plug in an appliance that becomes wet from flooding until they are completely dried out. In addition to appliances, the effects of the flooding could damage the electrical system in your home. Call Absolute Electric so that a certified electrician can inspect circuit breakers, fuses, plugs, switches, and more. This ensures that you don’t get shocked when using the electricity. It also helps you make sure that there is no water damage to your electrical system. Even appliances that get damp can receive detrimental water damage.
Floods from storms are more damaging than water from a leaky pipe because the stormwater has salt and other minerals in it. The salt can corrode electrical components and do more damage to your home in general.
Wind Damage
Depending on the wind speed, gusts can damage your home. Wind is also the number one cause of downed power lines. These can be dangerous, especially if loose wires are down near your home. Ensure all your family members stay at least 10 feet away from the power line that is down. If you see that the powerlines have fallen, stay away from them and contact emergency services to take care of them. Never try and drive over a power line that is live.
Backup Power Solutions in Place
Generators are a great solution to power outages and blackouts. However, they are not designed to be simply plugged into your home’s outlets. Have a licensed electrician from our team install a transfer switch on one of these units. Without this, feedback can form from the generator and reach the powerlines that connect to your home, making it dangerous for anyone who works on the lines.
The generator installation needs to occur outside the home because running it too close to your living space can lead to issues with carbon monoxide. These units should be at least 20 feet from your house, with the exhaust system facing away from your home. These portable options do not run in the rain, but they are great for power outages after the storm passes. The transfer switch stops power from the lines, substitutes power from the generator, and sends it to your home so that you can use essential appliances. You will need to watch neighboring homes or your power company’s alerts to know when your power has been restored if you have manually switched to generator power.
Whole-Home Surge Protection
Most outlets create a power flow of up to 169 volts. However, when a power surge occurs, an influx of additional energy can damage appliances and devices that connect to an outlet, as well as the outlet itself. If you notice burn marks on an outlet, this is likely from a power surge.
Unfortunately, power surges cannot be prevented, but you can protect your home by using a surge protector. At Absolute Electric, we recommend installing a whole-home surge protector to ensure the safety of all your devices. These devices are installed in your electrical panel to control surges at the point where your main power lines flow into your home. They protect your gaming systems, computers, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
One common source of a power surge is lightning. Faulty wiring in a home can also cause a power surge, so getting repairs on damaged wires is beneficial. After a storm, a power surge can also occur when the power company restores the electricity to your home. Having surge protection can prevent a lot of damage in your living space.
Inspect Potential Storm Damage
It is important to inspect your home after a storm to check for issues. Roof damage can occur during a storm, and as this article discussed, electrical damage is also possible. At Absolute Electric, we have over 18 years of experience providing electrical services in the Sterling area, so we can easily find damage that occurred during the last storm.
Modern homes require more electricity than in the past, especially with smart systems and EV charging stations in the home. Our skills and reputation allow us to focus on quick delivery of service and the satisfaction of our customers. Whether you need repairs, maintenance, or a new installation, we can help accomplish it while keeping your family safe.
Absolute Electric is one of the top electrical service companies in Sterling. Call us today to schedule an appointment!
