Floods can cause electrical hazards from damaged electrical equipment to fires in residences. In the aftermath of a flood, it’s wise to contact a professional for residential electrical service to check your electrical distribution system. Here are some electrical safety tips to follow should you have a flood in your home.
Avoid Electrical Hazards After a Flood
If a room in your home has been flooded, be sure to take the following steps before accessing any electrical systems:
- Do not step into a flooded room or basement while holding electrical appliances or wiring. Submerged electrical cords or wiring can pose a safety risk by energizing the water and electrocuting you. Also, have a licensed electrician unplug the electrical meter from its socket before entering the area.
- Put on protective gear such as chest waders and a headlamp while exploring your property.
- Don’t touch any electrical device while standing in water or with wet hands. Water is a good conductor of electricity. While you may have taken steps to switch off your primary power source, a neighbor may be using a generator that can transmit the electrical signals to your home.
- Have an experienced technician check your wiring for any corrosion of electrical equipment. Please do not turn on or use equipment unless an electrician tells you it’s safe to do so.
- Since water can carry along toxins and sediments, it is recommended that you contact a professional drying service or cleaner to handle the cleanup.
Tim Kyle Electric
Looking for residential electrical service in Hampstead? Contact Tim Kyle Electric. Play it safe after a flood and contact a professional to determine the source of any electrical problem. It can be dangerous for inexperienced homeowners to go poking around in wiring and other areas, too. Fortunately, that’s where we come in. At Tim Kyle Electric our skilled technicians can work with you to identify potential electrical hazards and to quickly and safely address them.