In Ballwin, we experience at least 40 thunderstorms per year, and with thunderstorms, there’s the potential for power surges and outages that pose a danger to both property and life. For this reason, it’s essential that you prioritize safety before, during, and after the weather event. This also extends to periods when the power has simply gone out. Knowing what to do is critical, so we at Spark Daddy have created this guide for storm and power outage electrical safety.
Be Prepared
When a storm comes through the area, you need to make sure that you prepare for anything. Storms are often unpredictable, and being ready for things to go wrong makes recovering after a significant storm easier.
Start preparing by:
- Charging your phone
- Charging solar-powered equipment
- Gathering a flashlight and extra batteries
- Gathering candles and a lighter
- Find a battery-powered radio to get storm updates
- Gather food and water for nourishment
Turn Off and Unplug Appliances
When a storm is about to hit Ballwin, it is crucial to make sure to ground all your appliances. If they are not grounded, make sure to turn them off and unplug them. You also do not want to use a landline phone in your home during a storm. If lightning strikes the house while you’re using anything electric, it could affect you as well.
Wind Damage
Be cautious of lightning or wind damaging tree limbs during a storm. Tree limbs are large, and they can easily break windows or knock down power lines with enough force. Make sure that you stay away from windows during storms to keep you safe. Also, don’t go near powerlines to avoid electric shock if powerlines are down.
Flooding
If you have a basement that occasionally floods, it is vital that you make sure that all the electrical appliances are up off the floors to help prevent damage. If flooding does occur, stay out of the water until you are sure it has not risen above any outlets that could electrocute you. Wear knee-high rubber boots and protective thick rubber gloves if you must enter a flooded area.
Get a Surge Protector for Your Home
A whole-home surge protector is a device you install in your home to prevent electrical power surges from reaching your appliances and devices. When a power surge happens, the protector automatically collects the overage of power and sends it to the ground, where it dissipates. They do this by raising the resistance on the circuit when there’s too much electricity so that appliances aren’t burned out in the process.
Thunderstorms are a common cause of power surges and outages. There are several structures that, when struck by lightning, have the potential to cause a power surge. Here are a few to consider:
- Utility pole
- Transformer
- Power line
- Nearby trees
- Buildings
It takes around 120 to 169 volts of electricity to power the lighting and appliances of most homes. When there’s a surge caused by weather or an overloaded panel, it can spike up to more than 300 volts.
To protect against these kinds of surges, we recommend whole-home surge protection rather than just plug-in surge protection. With whole-home protection, should a surge happen, all appliances will be safe from the electrical spikes. This is typically installed within the electrical panel, so you’ll need to contact a professional electrician, like those on our team, for installation.
Check if the Outage Is Neighborhood-Wide
When there’s an outage, it’s essential to determine if your home is the only one in the area experiencing the power loss. We suggest checking to see if your neighbors have also lost power during the storm. This helps determine if this is an isolated problem with your home’s electrical systems or if it’s something that’s happening to the broader power grid. This will also save you from troubleshooting the issue in your house since, if it’s affecting your neighbors, it’s clearly a more widespread issue.
Notify Your Utility Company of the Outage
If the outage affects more than a few of your neighbors, it’s time to call the power company. This way, since they are responsible for the power grid in your area, they can check to see where the issue stems from.
This also allows them to restore power faster because outages aren’t always detectable from the utility itself. Informing the power company of the power loss means that they can send their team to repair the lines quickly. In the long run, this can help them address any safety concerns associated with the power loss. Contacting the utility also opens the lines of communication so that they can provide you with updates about when to expect the power to return.
Have a Source of Backup Power Available
When the power is out, consider the backup power a generator provides for your home. While portable generators are helpful for short-term power losses, they can’t power larger appliances like your heating and cooling system or multiple large appliances simultaneously. Instead, we suggest a whole-house standby generator. These generators will automatically start when they detect a power outage and provide power for your entire home, including lights, HVAC, refrigerators, and more. One of our electricians at Spark Daddy will install your standby generator, which we’ll position outside the home. Having these on your property ensures power continuity so you remain safe and comfortable with all appliances that are still functional.
Since you don’t use your generator every day, there is a chance that you will not be aware of issues that need your attention. The best way to ensure your generator works when needed is to schedule yearly maintenance. This will help us diagnose any problems that would keep it from functioning and manage repairs before the next storm comes. If you notice that the generator has difficulties starting, visible damage, or makes a strange smell or a loud noise, call an electrician at Spark Daddy to manage it.
Necessary Electrical Maintenance
Keeping your home and family safe is one of our top priorities. We strongly suggest having a complete electrical system inspection every three to five years. This will catch problems like loose or frayed wires. We’ll also make sure your system is up to current codes and suggest repairs or upgrades if it is not. You might also want an inspection after a significant storm, especially if you experienced damage from high winds, nearby lightning strikes, or falling trees or limbs.
Rely on Our Experienced Electricians
Our team at Spark Daddy has over 50 years of combined experience, and we know what to look for to ensure that there are no safety hazards in your home that put you or your family at risk. We can help with any electrical needs, including whole-home surge protection and generator installation, you may have when it comes to preparing for the next storm. Give Spark Daddy a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert electricians.
