Power outages are a fact of life. They can occur any time of the year, and they can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours or days. If you’re not prepared for them, they can be dangerous and frustrating. That’s why we’re here to help you prepare for power outages that happen when you least expect them.
What are some essential dos and don’ts of power outages?
First things first, it may surprise you to know one of the first things you should do is go ask your neighbors if they have power or not. Just because yours is out doesn’t mean that it’s out for everyone.
Before we get into some common tips to handle a power outage, the most important thing to remember is to not light candles, it’s something you should not do, instead use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns. Candles may fall over and start a fire putting you, your family, and your home at risk.
So, if you are experiencing a power outage, the following tips will help you know what to “do” and “not do” no matter the reason for the outage.
Check Your Breakers
In a power outage, the first thing you should do is look for the circuit breaker that controls your home’s main service panel. If you don’t know where it is, ask someone who does. If it’s not already on, flip it to “off” and then wait 15 minutes before flipping it back to “on.”
This will give any current flowing through your house time to dissipate. If you’ve flipped off the breaker and have tried resetting your power, but nothing happens, call an electrician immediately—it means there’s a problem with the wiring or damage somewhere else in your house.
Report The Outage
After you determine it’s not your breakers, you need to call your electric company and report the outage. It’s always a good idea to sign up for alerts once you report the outage so you can stay up to date on how long it’ll be until it’s on again.
Don’t Light Candles
It’s worth mentioning again. Candles can be extremely dangerous when used incorrectly. They pose a risk of fire and explosion, as well as carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition, they may not be effective at providing light in an emergency situation—and if they are, they will burn out quickly.
If you want to be prepared for emergencies, we recommend that you install a battery-operated or hand-crank radio so that you can listen for updates about your area’s status during an outage. It’s also important to have flashlights (ideally LED models) on hand—both for use in case of an emergency and for daily use around the house and yard.
Unplug Large Power Users & Turn Off the Rest
When the power goes out, it’s important to unplug large power users such as stoves and refrigerators. You should also turn off the rest of your appliances and electronics to prevent damage to them. Desktop computers, tv’s etc…
Leave The Refrigerator and Freezer Doors Closed
If you have an electric refrigerator or freezer, it is important to leave the doors closed during power outages. This will help keep your food cold. If you have a gas refrigerator or freezer, it’s important to keep the door closed as well.
When the power goes out, it can take up to 24 hours for your food to warm up to room temperature. So, if your refrigerator or freezer has been unplugged for more than a few hours and you open the door, this could cause your food to spoil faster.
Stay Away from Pooling Water
It’s true that power outages are caused by storms, and those storms can cause downed branches and power lines beneath the water in your backyard. Even if you’re tempted to wade in and clear a few branches, it’s important to resist this urge. Give authorized work crews the time and space they need to safely clear the area.
Keep Water Use to A Minimum
During a power outage, it is important to keep water use to a minimum. The following tips will help you conserve water during an outage if you have a backup power system:
● Do not run the dishwasher, washing machine, or clothes dryer.
● Only flush the toilet if absolutely necessary.
● Wait until you have enough water in your hot water tank before taking a shower or doing laundry.
● Use paper plates and cups instead of dishware that needs to be washed.
In Sum
In conclusion, power outages are a fact of life. They cannot always be prevented. That said, there are steps that you can take to reduce the effects of a power outage on your home, business or home/business combination.
The electricians at Bratcher Electric in Wayne want the residents of Michigan to be safe and know what to do during a power outage. Keep these tips in mind as well as consider a backup power system. It’s an investment worth making or at least looking into.
As a top choice for electrical services including standby generator installation, home rewiring and code and service upgrades, we are here to help by providing the customer care and service you expect and deserve. If you have questions or concerns about the electrical service for you home or business, call us!