During and after a hurricane, residents of affected areas are at great risk. The foremost effective way to stay safe is to be prepared. Check the weather outlook regularly and warn your loved ones when a storm is approaching. Familiarize yourself with how your community reports and response to disaster events in order that you can respond effectively in the event of a disaster. discover community-specific evacuation plans in your area. Keep an inventory of emergency contacts in an easily accessible place.
Electrical safety tips to assist reduce the risk of injury before, during, and after a storm:
Shut off utility lines and switch off propane tanks when instructed to do so by authorities. If possible, stand back from flood waters and avoid driving in flooded areas. Even water that’s only a few centimeters deep can be dangerous.
Close up the main switch and disconnect electronic devices during evacuation. If you’ve got to stand in water, don’t attempt to turn off the fuse box. Instead, call your power service and ask them to turn it off at your meter.
Remember that evacuation orders must be skilled immediately. Never evacuate if the road is flooded as it can mask a potential electrical hazard. Flash floods aren’t only a potential risk, they’re dangerous because flooding can occur to mask electrical hazards.
If you employ a generator to restore power, ensure you understand how to operate the generator to minimize hazards. don’t connect the generator directly to your house wiring or operate the generator in wet conditions. Therefore, check the instruction manual regularly.
Even if you can’t see a spark, treat the broken wire as if it were alive, especially if there’s standing water nearby. If you discover a cable cut in your area, please notify the authorities immediately. If your house is flooded, it is vital to turn off the power until a professional electrician has verified the safety of your entire home, including appliances. Water can damage the interior components of appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers, posing an electrical shock or fire hazard. Have a professional electrician come to your home to determine which electrical devices need replacing and which ones can be repaired.
If you do not have electricity in your home and you don’t have water in your home, a generator may be an available option for powering some small appliances. However, if used incorrectly, there is also the risk of fire, carbon monoxide gas poisoning, and electric shock.
Note that damaged electrical equipment isn’t always visually identifiable. No arc or spark doesn’t mean danger. Stay well far away from high-voltage power lines that may go down during a storm.
