Electric Safety for Every Storm | Teems Electric

The skies turn dark and gray, the wind starts whipping around faster and stronger and that smell of moisture fills the air. A storm is coming. While sometimes our summers in the South bring a crazy downpour without warning, most of the time there are plenty of signs that signal oncoming storms.

Between watching the skies and checking for alerts, when you take note of incoming weather, you have time to prepare your home and avoid any potential damages that storms might bring.

While some preparations might feel a little more obvious, like putting your trash can somewhere it won’t end up flying through the air, you should also prepare your home electrically. There are steps you can take to prevent losses and protect your home from surges and even potential fires.

When you prepare beforehand, you can bounce back quicker after a storm.

Before the Storm

Any storm has the potential to carry with it electrical hazards. Even without lightning, a heavy rain with high winds can knock the power out or damage exterior lines.

Start preparing your home and your family by putting together an emergency kit. Include flashlights, extra batteries and a weather radio.

Check your outlets while the weather is nice, and consider any necessary upgrades that can make your home safer. While your bathrooms probably already have them, ground fault circuit interrupters, or GFCI outlets, can detect hazardous electrical situations and shut off before electrocution occurs.

Make sure outdoor outlets are rated for outdoor use, and have solid covers on them to prevent water intrusions. Unplug as much as you are able before a storm rolls in, and turn off lights around the home.

You certainly don’t have to wait for a storm’s arrival in the dark and quiet (unless that is comforting to you), but make sure to turn off any additional electronics you were using if the power does go out.

During and After the Storm

Once you have prepared yourself and your home, find an interior space to ride out the storm in. While the power is on, keep an eye on news reports for warnings, and keep your weather radio close and your cell phone charged.

If the power goes out, use your flashlights sparingly in order to preserve the battery in case the outage is long-term.

During a power outage, avoid opening your refrigerator and shut off anything that runs often like ceiling fans. Leave one low-wattage lamp on so that you know when power comes back on. If you choose to use a generator, always run it outside in an open space and be careful not to overload it.

Stay away from downed powerlines and out of flooded spaces. If one of your electrical items did get wet, let it dry out completely before attempting to use it again. If your home took on water and the power comes back on, shut it off at the breaker box, or call your utility company if you cannot safely do so.

The more you prepare before a storm, the safer you can stay during and the faster you can respond to situations afterward. Protect your home and your pricey electronics by taking the time to unplug and prevent losses.

As a bonus, when you are prepared, a little unplugged family time with a board game or a great book might make storms a welcome break from a busy day. Prepare and protect so that you can sit back and enjoy.

Want to take your electrical safety to the next level? Contact us for a home assessment to find out everything we can do for you.