As we hear of hurricanes starting to unleash their fury on the East Coast, it makes one start to think about whether or not they are prepared to handle a hurricane if it were to come their way. Not only hurricanes can cause the power to be cut from your home though. Tropical storms and other severe weather that is sure to come as we start to feel the air cool can cause the lights to go out in your house as well. Southland Electric is here to talk about how you can prepare your home for a power outage.
Conserve Batteries
You are going to need your batteries once the lights go out. If you have flashlights, ensure they have LED bulbs as these use much less power to operate. You can get six to ten times more light from these bulbs compared to incandescent light bulbs. Try to refrain using your devices as much as possible so that you don’t have the need to recharge them as often. When you do have to recharge devices, you can turn your car into a charging station with the right charging cords.
Refill Your Propane Tanks
When the power is out, you won’t be able to cook like you normally do. If you have a propane grill, make sure all of your propane tanks are filled and ready for an incoming storm. This is a good alternative to cooking warm meals when you don’t have electricity to power your stove or oven.
Unplugging Electronics & Appliances
When power surges happen, it can cause damage to your electronics that are still plugged into outlets. This can include televisions, computers, appliances and other sensitive electronics. When the power is restored to your home, you will want to have one light switch still turned on so that you will know when the power is back.
Keep Fridge Door Closed
When the power goes out, hopefully you will get it back soon. If you’re worried that it may be a while, you should refrain from opening the doors of your fridge. When they remain closed, the fridge will be able to keep the cold air in much longer.
Battery Powered Carbon Monoxide Detector
When areas experience blackouts, there is a rise in carbon monoxide deaths. This happens because people often turn to fireplaces, gas stoves and other types of heat sources to stay warm. These all emit carbon monoxide and it’s important to be aware of any carbon monoxide dangers.
Transfer Switch Installation in Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Florida
If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages when facing severe weather, it is worth it to have a generator installed in your home. This will help protect your appliances, help you avoid losing all your food and give you hot water to shower with. You can count on the experts at Southland Electric to install a transfer switch to safely connect your back up generator today!
