Spring storms are pretty common here in the Rock Hill, York County, and Lancaster County area. They bring with them the potential for heavy winds, flooding rains, and lightning. All of these things can lead to power outages. The residential and commercial electricians at Polk Electric want you to be prepared for spring storms by knowing how to protect your family and your electrical devices. Here are several useful tips to help you stay safe during spring storms while protecting you from expensive repairs:
- Charge all your electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Take care of this before bad weather hits so you’ll be able to call for help if needed.
- Put together an emergency kit. Your kit should include items like safety gloves, pliers, first aid supplies, and emergency contact numbers. Your kit should also include enough non-perishable food and water for each member of your family, medications, and personal hygiene products.
- Know how to turn off your main circuit breaker. You’ll need to do this to protect your electronics and appliances from power surges. You’ll also need to do this to connect a generator if you have one.
- Turn off and unplug all appliances, electronic equipment, and lighting. Turn the thermostat up as much as you can to keep your air conditioning from running.
- If your home floods, call your electric company first. Then contact an electrical contractor to reconnect your system. Never assume that electrical current isn’t flowing into your home.
- Purchase a backup generator. Different types of generators meet different needs. Portable generators are hooked up and turned on only when needed. An automatic standby generator will turn itself almost immediately after the power goes out. Both types of generators are suitable for residential homes. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions whenever you use your generator. For commercial and industrial buildings, more powerful generators (such as towable generators) and an uninterruptible power system (UPS) should be used.
- Turn down the temperature in your freezer or refrigerator to get it extra cold. Once the power goes out, keep the doors closed. This will keep the cold air in and preserve your food for longer.
Spring storms can be relatively minor but they can also produce dangerous tornadoes and flooding. Electrical system failures can occur but as long as you take precautions and stay calm, you and your family can stay safe. If you suspect electrical damage to your home or business, call the commercial and residential electricians at Polk Electric as soon as possible.
