Severe weather can occur all throughout the year which is why it’s important to know how to prepare for a storm, what to do during a storm, and how to recover from it. Read on to learn how to stay safe during severe weather.
How to Prepare for Severe Weather
First, prepare your essentials including water, emergency contacts, and battery-operated flashlights and radios. There’s always the possibility of a prolonged outage due to electric equipment damage and power line damage. Always listen to weather reports to know what kind of storm to expect and how imminent it is. You should consider installing GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters) in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms because they cut off power to prevent you from being shocked. Move electronic devices to tables to avoid water damage from any flooding. If the power goes out turn off the lights, appliances, and large electronics to prevent overloading circuits. Avoid using a portable generator inside your garage or home. You should also avoid connecting generators directly to the household wiring unless a professional electrician does it. Last, make sure your communication devices are adequately charged.
After the Storm
First, ensure that all gas and electric services are turned off upon entering the storm-damaged building. If you can’t reach the breaker box without stepping in water, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter. You should have an expert electrician inspect water-damaged electrical equipment such as fuses, circuit breakers, plugs, and switches. Avoid replacing fuses and touching a circuit breaker while standing on a wet surface. When you’re outside, avoid downed power lines and know that dangling wires can be energized.
If you need electrical services after a storm, contact Tim Kyle Electric, Heating & Cooling to make sure that your system is running smoothly and safely. Looking for residential electrical services in Carroll County? We are proud to have been named “Carroll’s Best” for 2020. We strive to always do our best, and it’s nice to get rewarded for our commitment to our customers. While we are located centrally in Carroll County, we also serve the surrounding counties in Maryland.