Summer storms in South Florida can be pretty intense, with lightning and rain that have the ability to disrupt electricity. A power outage can disrupt most of our everyday activities, more so than people realize. Losing power is annoying when it occurs, but many people don’t realize that they also have the potential to be quite harmful. The sudden return of power after being lost during a storm or due to another issue can cause significant damage to your electrical appliances and even start fires if not adequately prepared for.
Here is a quick guide on who to call when the power goes out – and what you can do to protect yourself.
Get the Official Information
Power companies will often release information within minutes of a power outage detailing its cause, what areas are affected, and when they estimate that power will be restored. Depending on your provider, you may be signed up to receive automatic text or phone call updates. Otherwise, you can easily access this information using your smartphone to look up your local authorities. Often radio reports will be made as well.
It is helpful to have portable chargers charged up and ready for use in case of an outage to know you will have enough phone battery to stay up to date with what is happening.
Unplug All Electrical Appliances
As the cause of the outage is being repaired, power may likely flicker on and off for a bit. Alternatively, if it gets fixed all at once, there may be a sudden surge of power to your home. Both the flickering and surge can wreak havoc on your electrical devices; to protect them, it is best to fully unplug your appliances and flip the breakers to your larger appliances that cannot be easily unplugged. Once the lights come back on and the power surge has passed, you can safely plug everything back in.
Do Not Go Near Water
If you venture outside once the storm has passed, avoid any water you see. Downed power lines can electrify even small amounts of water, and this electricity can spread quite far. Stay at least 35 feet away from the downed line, and even further if it seems like the ground nearby is still wet.
Invest in Surge Protection
Though unplugging your devices is a good way to protect them, you may not always have time to get to all of them before the power surges back on. To add another layer of defense against damaging power surges, consider investing in whole-home surge protection. This solution consists of a few types of surge protection. They are installed at varying points along the path of electricity – from the source to your home to individual surge protectors used on outlets. Each of these will help deflect the extra power during a surge safely into the ground and away from your home’s electrical system.
Get a Generator
Power outages are common in our area, and you might benefit significantly from having a generator. Whether you have a portable model that requires setup each time or a backup generator that has an automatic transfer switch, it’s a comfort to know that you do not need to worry about having power during an outage.
If, during a storm, your home or property sustained any electrical system damage, do not attempt to fix the issue by yourself. Electricity can be extremely dangerous, especially if wires have been compromised. Call the local electric company to evaluate the situation or report a problem on your property or in your neighborhood. If the issue resides within your home, call Promise Electric immediately. We are here to help – and to keep you safe.
