Waiting for power after a storm
With more weather event
upon us, it is probably a good time to remind householders that if you haven’t
already taken steps to protect your property and electrical system from storms,
that now is the time to take stock and do whatever is necessary to protect you
and your family. Below you’ll find the Sydney Local Electricians top storm safety
tips to keep you and your family safe this storm season.
Storm Safety Tips
Severe storms can be
fast moving and can strike at any time. They can be unpredictable and often
cause major damage to property, as well as serious injury and even loss of
life. What if you lost power and access to telecommunications? Ask yourself, if
you and your family were isolated by a severe storm or flood, would you have
enough food and water to last at least three or more days? Charlotte from Annandale takes the safety of
her family very seriously and called us at Sydney Local Electricians to get an Annandale Electrician to come and
inspect her home for electrical safety after a particularly ferocious
storm. Water had gotten into her Susan
Street townhouse and they had only just gotten the power back on hours earlier. She was particularly mindful of getting the
wiring and electrical components inside her home checked by our Annandale Electrician for the safety of
herself, her husband and two small daughters.
Thankfully her home was electrically safe and only needed the service of
a couple of high powered drying fans to remove some of the leaked water.
If you aren’t already
prepared, it is imperative you now take action and look around your home to
identify any potential hazards that may become airborne during a storm and
cause interruption to your power supply. These items may include loose roofing,
outdoor furniture and umbrellas, garden tools and outdoor toys as well as
overgrown tree branches and other debris. Also, if you have an overhead power
supply coming in from the street to your home check that there is no contact
with trees and branches. Never attempt to prune these trees yourself if they
are in and around power lines. If you are concerned a tree is too close to a
power line, call your electrical provider and arrange a tree trim.
Surge Protection Installation
A small investment in
surge protection could save you thousands of dollars in replacing electrical
items so we would encourage you to call the friendly team at Sydney Local Electricians on 0415 11 66 22 about having
lightning protection installed in your switchboard to protect all your appliances.
When a storm does threaten, disconnect all sensitive appliances, such as
computers and TVs, and unplug the telephone and TV antenna before the storm
arrives. Never use equipment directly connected to electricity during a severe
storm. It is also recommended that you tune into your local radio station for
storm warnings and weather updates. Of course, don’t forget to keep fresh
batteries available to power your radio in the event of a blackout. Many
Councils now have SMS storm alerts which you can sign up for to enable you to
receive a timely warning on your mobile phone when a severe storm is
threatening your area. Under no
circumstance should you attempt any do-it-yourself repairs if your property
suffers storm damage. This includes your home’s electrical system and any
electrical appliances which may have been damaged. Likewise, never attempt to
use appliances that have been effected by water as they can cause electric
shock. Call a qualified Annandale Electrician for assistance. If wires have come
down, report fallen power lines or damage to the electricity network to Energex
on 13 19 62.
For any electrical
checks, repairs or installations, why not call the team at Sydney Local Electricians. We will be at your home or
business in next to no time and can be contacted by calling 0415 11 66 22.
