This rainy season, watch out for hazardous storms that could put your Destin home in danger. In more powerful storms, you might experience a power outage. Power outages can leave you and your family in the dark about what to do next.
You don’t always know how long your outage will last or when you can get an emergency 24/7 electrician down, so it’s always good to prepare in case this happens to you. Gulf Coast Electric wants to share 5 power outage safety tips from our team of experts.
Monitor Alerts
Watch out for any local weather reports using your phone, television or radio. Your internet service will cut out during a power outage, so it’s important to use other devices to check for live updates. You can sign up for local alerts and other warning notifications on your phone. Get texts or calls right to your phone in case of a power outage emergency.
Only Use Flashlights
Getting everyone in your household a flashlight will help you navigate through the darkness while the power is out. Candles cause unnecessary fire hazards and don’t provide enough light for each room. Create a space for flashlights and extra batteries for you and your family for the next heavy storm.
Prevent Power Overloads
Power surges after your power comes on can cause serious damage to your home. To prevent power overloads, unplug your appliances and electronics while the electricity is still out. Turn off your utilities when your local officials instruct you to do so or when you believe you might have damage to these appliances.
If you’re worried about your food spoiling, keep your fridge and freezer doors closed until the electricity comes back on. Food in your refrigerator will keep your food cold for about 4 hours while a freezer can keep food frozen for 24-48 hours depending on how full it is.
Protect your home from the dangers of power overloads by unplugging your appliances when the power goes out.
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Rainstorms cannot only knock out your power, but they can also cause gas leaks in your home. Don’t use a gas stove in your home during a power outage. Using gas stoves, generators or charcoal grills inside your home can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and use gas appliances outside away from any windows if you need to.
Prepare For The Next Power Outage
Once that power comes back on, you can rest easy knowing that your electricity is back and running again. When the power comes back on, you can check to see what foods made it through the storm. Any food warmer than 40 degrees Fahrenheit should be thrown out. This is also the same for medication that should be refrigerated. Contact your doctor for a new supply if your medication has gone unrefrigerated for longer than 24 hours.
From here, you can start stocking and restocking an emergency kit for the next power outage. This includes nonperishable food and extra batteries. You can never be too sure when the next one will come!
Contact Gulf Coast Electric For Destin Electrical Services
If you find any electrical problems after a storm or need electrical maintenance, contact our team! Gulf Coast Electric offers services for new and returning clients who want to protect their homes with an extra layer of electrical safety. Contact us for a consultation today!