Thursday 28 July 2016

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.

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