Power outages don’t always happen, but when they do, they can catch a lot of people off guard. In addition to the inconvenience, power outages can also increase the risk of accidents in your home because of what people have to do to get by without power. This is why the leading electrician in the area is sharing a few tips on how to stay safe.
Unplug Everything
One of the first things you need to do when the power goes out is unplug everything connected to a socket. This is mainly done to prevent damage to your appliances in case the power comes back on and a power surge overloads your circuits. In addition to saving your appliances, it wil also help reduce the risk of fires caused by a damaged device going haywire.
Use Generators Away from Windows
A generator will provide you an alternative source of electricity until power is restored in your area. However, electrical contractors strongly recommend placing them outdoors safely away from windows because rhe generator runs on gasoline and emits fumes. In addition, the noise can be disruptive. Should the generator fail, it will be somewhere that won’t pose an immediate threat to the house.
Avoid Gas Heaters
Losing an electric heater is a major inconvenience, but it shouldn’t be an excuse to try jury-rigging an alternative heat source. No matter what happens, do not try to use the stove as a makeshift heater; as this greatly increases the risk of fires occurring during a power outage.
Keep a Cooler Ready
When the power is out, your refrigerator will stop working. If you expect the outage to last for more than a few hours, commercial electrical contractors recommend moving refrigerated medicine and other perishable items to a cooler to keep them cold. If you have no choice but to keep food in the fridge, make sure to check for signs of spoilage before eating anything.
Have your electrical systems checked by our team. Bailey & Shipp Electric is the most trusted roofing company in Columbia, MD. You can call us at (410) 457-3507 or fill out this contact form to request a quote.