BLOG, HOME SECURITY
Summer storms always seem to spring out of nowhere. Even worse than a surprise storm is the surprise power outages they can sometimes cause. Thankfully, with the right kind of preparation, you could save yourself (and the equipment in your home) a whole lot of hassle the next time your neighbourhood goes dark.
- Anticipate Power Outages
The occasional power outage in unavoidable. You can do your best to prevent the effects, but you might have to deal with them from time to time. Make sure to pay attention to the forecast, and look at it more than once. You might be surprised to see how quickly a basic storm could turn into something more serious.
- Make a List of Things You’ll Need
Start a list of things that you will need if you lose power for 12-24 hours. Be realistic, but also reasonable about what you want to have access to. Set aside a few things that you can use during the outage, like:
- Shelf-stable food
- Drinking water
- Flash lights or candles
- Radio
- Batteries
- Manual for your generator
You may not need all of these, but they’ll help you avoid bigger problems if the power stays out.
- Prevent Damage from Power Surges
Once the power comes back on, you’ve got to keep in mind that the fun isn’t over. Power surges happen when something that was taking up a lot of energy turns back on. It can also happen as a result of a lightning strike near the home. Nobody wants to deal with a power surge because it can significantly damage your home’s equipment. Make sure that all your important appliances and electronics have access to surge protection.
- Consider Getting a Backup Generator
Power outages are more serious for some homes and businesses than others. Do you run a business out of your home office, or have someone in your household that’s medically reliant on electricity to maintain critical systems? If so, you should consider investing in an automatic backup generator. This will ensure that even if your neighbourhood loses power, your home will still have it. Sizing and placement of the backup generator is unique to every situation. When installing these units, the BriteBox system engineers typically ask lots of questions to make sure they’re sourcing the generator that best fits your needs.
- Stay On Top of Check-Ups
Once you have a backup generator installed, be mindful of keeping it in good condition year-round to ensure it works properly in the moments you need it most. Schedule a test for your generator with a BriteBox electrician once a year, and replace your surge protectors regularly. A little investment could keep your whole home running smooth, no matter what’s going on outside.
Power outages are always a pain, but they don’t need to become a disaster. Using the right approach to home management during a summer storm, you can save time, money, and a bunch of stress.
