One of the biggest threats to a home is damages caused by electrical disasters. These damages are often critical, and can not only the electronics, but also the lives of people. It is important for you to know exactly how to protect yourself in case of a power surge because they can very easily cause some irreparable damages to both your home, as well as your health.
If you happen to live somewhere where storms and such are common, you’re more at risk of a power surge. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast and prepare yourself for a surge in advance, so that even if a lightning strike does cause a surge to happen in your home’s wiring, all your appliances are safe from damage. For a reliable electrical service, you might want to consider Ohio Edison FirstEnergy.
What Is a Power Surge?
A power surge refers to a sudden increase in voltage or charge within power lines in an area where a storm is occurring. If a lightning strike occurs near a power source, sudden increase in voltage causes a greater power discharge in the wall sockets in homes, which can harm any connected appliances. If the increase is drastic enough, it may even be a fire hazard – this is why it is important to make sure that any appliances you have are insured, so that you don’t have to face all the damages of the surge yourself.
Keep a Close Eye on Weather
The easiest way to predict a power surge and be prepared for it is by keeping a close eye on weather. Knowing the forecast will tell you when there’s a chance of a power surge, and you can take all necessary precautions so that minimal damage occurs to the things you own. This will also help you know how long you have to keep your appliances unplugged, so that you’re prepared in case of a long power outage. Power surges can be quite disastrous if they occur suddenly, so it’s always best to be prepared for them in advance.
Turn Off the Main Power Supply
The safest thing to do in case of a power surge is to turn off the main supply, so even if you accidentally forget to plug in any big appliances, or don’t have the time to manually cater to each one, none of your appliances will be at risk of getting damaged. This also means that you will not be at risk of electrocution, and there will no longer be a fire hazard.
The potential issue with this could be that you will not be able to access anything that requires electricity to function, meaning that even the devices that were in no real danger against the surge, including internet routers will no longer work. This could be bad in case your cellular service stops working, and the internet is your only mode of communication.
Unplug All Appliances
A power surge will only damage your appliances if they are plugged in, which means that if you unplug appliances that are actually at risk, you no longer have to worry about the surge. The problem is that if you’re in a hurry, you might miss a gadget or two, which might prove to be disastrous. A benefit of manually unplugging important appliances is that in case the power surge lasts for a while, you will at least have access to some small electronics, such as chargers and internet devices.
Make Sure All Portable Devices Are Charged
When a power surge occurs, there is a good chance that it will last a while. You might not be able to contact anyone outside, and if you choose to cut off the main power supply, you do not know how long your devices will remain charged. In case of an accident, this can prove to be very harmful, so it’s always important to prepare in advance for a surge by making sure all your gadgets that don’t require a direct electrical connection are ready to be used.
Do Not Use Any Appliances during a Storm
One of the biggest risks during a power surge is electrocution. This usually happens when a surge occurs, and excess electricity runs through an outlet, which is connected to a big appliance that someone is using. Any direct contact can be a great health risk, as well as a fire hazard. This is why it is very important to make sure that you don’t use any appliances before or during a power surge.
If the weather in your area is unpredictable, it’s best to opt for appliances that come with warranty. This will ensure that even if an important appliance gets damaged, you don’t have to cover all of the expense yourself. It provides better security, and maybe even a replacement in case something goes wrong.
Conclusion
A power surge may be a frustrating thing to deal with, but it’s not impossible to counter. There are several precautions that you can take to make sure your home is safe from any damages that a power surge can cause, but in case you’re unable to plan ahead, keep the tips above in mind, so that if a power surge does occur, you suffer no damages.