With the start of peak hurricane season in mid-August, it’s a good time to review your home’s storm preparedness. There are many things to consider with hurricane safety – preparing the exterior of your home, protecting your basement from flooding, having an emergency evacuation plan – but don’t overlook electrical safety!
The typical Atlantic hurricane season (June-November) will yield 14 named storms, with 7 escalating to hurricanes and 3 becoming major hurricanes, according to NOAA. The 2024 hurricane season has been predicted to be highly active, with an 90% chance of an above-normal season. And the peak season is just beginning.
These extreme weather conditions can cause a variety of electrical safety hazards in and around homes and communities, such as power outages and surges, flooding, and downed power lines. If you live in the hardest hit states including Florida, Louisiana, or Texas (who was already impacted by Hurricane Beryl), it is particularly important to be prepared.
Whether your region experiences hurricanes or other types of extreme weather, how can you help protect your home’s electrical system from storm damage? Having Ting monitoring your home for important power changes and developing fire hazards is a good start. Planning ahead and being careful after-the-fact is crucial too – here are a few things you can do to stay safe.
How can Ting help you stay safe during extreme weather? In addition to providing fire hazard alerts, the Ting Sensor App also sends notifications for severe weather warnings and important power updates (outages, brownouts, and surges) that may affect your home or neighborhood during storms. This helps keep you informed and safe if a lightning strike, downed power line, or water infiltration causes a dangerous fire hazard in your home.
Before the Storm: Protect Your Devices, Appliances, and Power Equipment
The news of an incoming hurricane can be daunting, so we’ve put together a few quick to-do’s as it pertains to electrical safety before the storm hits your area:
- Charge your cellphones and any other important devices.
- Unplug as many electronics and appliances as possible to help protect them from potential power surges.
- Move any cords or electronics (especially in your basement – dehumidifiers, extension cords, etc.) off the ground in case of flooding.
- Install whole house surge protection to protect your home and your devices and appliances in the event of a power surge.
- Turn off breakers if recommended by your power company or local emergency services to avoid power surges.
- Consider both back-up and non-power alternatives for lighting, communication, medical devices, refrigerated medicine, etc.
“Ting alerted us of a potential issue with the neutral wire following a storm. Our house was exposed to repeated power surges for the next several days. The Ting Fire Safety Team told me to have the power company do a Beast Test if nothing was resolved. Problem was fixed, but never heard anything from the power company. If it weren’t for Ting monitoring the line, I wouldn’t have known the extent of the problem.”
– Allan in Scott in Lancaster, PA
During the Storm: Generator & Power Outage Safety
If you’re hunkering down to weather the storm, here are a few ways to help keep your family & your home’s electrical system safe:
- Never operate a portable generator inside or in garages, basements, or sheds – they should always be used outside and far away from your home.
- Never plug a portable generator directly into a wall outlet (unless a transfer switch has been installed) – the wiring could become overloaded, overheat, and start a fire. Instead, plug generators into heavy-duty exterior extension cords designed for use with generators.
- If the power goes out, switch off lights, large electronics, and appliances to prevent overloading circuits and damaging appliances when power is restored.
Did you know? Ting can work on generator power! In fact, for homes with a built-in backup generator, Ting will notify you if you lose power and generator power comes on. Note: your internet modem/router and Ting sensor should be on a circuit that the generator will power in case of a power outage.
After the Storm: Flooding Recovery & Downed Powerlines
Once the storm has passed, it’s important to continue to be cautious while you inspect your home and neighborhood:
- Do not use electrical equipment and electronics that have been submerged in water, such as circuit breakers, fuses, outlets, or plugs – have your licensed electrician inspect any water-damaged equipment.
- Never step into a flooded basement if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances, or cords.
- If you can’t reach your electrical panel safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.
- If you encounter a downed power line, always assume it is energized and stay at least 35 feet away.
- To safely move away from a downed power line, shuffle away with small steps while always keeping your feet together and on the ground.
- Do not attempt to touch any person, object, or puddle/water near a downed power line.
- If you encounter a downed power line from your car, do not get out of your car or drive over it.
“We had a severe storm roll through. There was a tree branch about 25 feet long that grazed the electrical service line that runs from the power pole to our house. The service line from the pole to the house was dragged down and was hanging about 8 feet above the ground. We called our electrical company and the first repairman raised the service line back to where it should have been. We then experienced 10 power surges and Ting notified us that there was a Utility Fire Hazard detected at our house. My electrical company had a repairman out to the house again in about two hours and they determined that the power lines had been hooked up incorrectly by the first repairman. He used a bucket truck to get to the top of the power pole and corrected the problem.”
– Elmer in Buckner, MO
Hurricane season can be a stressful time of year, but your level of preparation can help you weather the storm and have a smooth recovery. Remember to trust your senses – flickering lights, intermittent lights or devices, frequently tripping breakers, or electrical odors following a storm can indicate a developing fire hazard. If you have questions, especially if you suspect an electrical risk in your home, please contact us immediately.
Wishing everyone a safe and quick passage of the season!