There are a few things you need to check when in a power outage

When extreme weather conditions, such as heat or cold, are combined with violent storms, power outages are likely to occur. During a blackout, your family's safety is your first priority. Additionally, you should protect your home's items from potential damage.

 These are a few things you should check in case of a power outage.

1. Your Appliances

When the power goes out, one of the first things you should do is unplug your appliances. When power is restored, there could be a spike in electricity that damages your electronics. After the power is restored, you may want to wait a few minutes to plug everything in again.

2. Your Fuse and Circuit Breaker

The outage could have been caused by tripped circuit breakers. Try to restore your power by resetting it. Switching the beaker on and off again will reset it. Several beeps may be heard after the power is restored. This is normal.

Use no tools or touch the electric meter when adjusting the breakers. If the power isn't restored, you might need to call a professional. Determine whether the problem was internal by checking if your neighbors were also affected.

3. Your Fridge and Freezer Doors

Be sure that your fridge and freezer doors are closed to avoid spoiling your food. Coolers and ice packs can also be used for temporary storage. Verify that the food in your refrigerator is safe before you consume it. In a refrigerator, food will remain cool for four hours, and in a freezer, it will remain cool for 48 hours. A food thermometer can provide you with greater peace of mind. 

4. Your Basement

The most common cause of power outages is severe weather, including heavy rain. Keep an eye out for signs of flooding in your basement since too much moisture can cause mold to grow. In case of any water, a gasoline pump can be used to remove it.

Prevent future water damage to the exterior of your basement by checking for cracks. Fill these out as quickly as possible. By covering your windows with window wells, you can prevent your drain from overflowing or clogging.

5. Your Garage Door

Your home may need to be evacuated if your basement floods. A manual opening of the garage door will be required in this situation. 

After the power has been restored, see if your garage door was damaged by the storm. Whenever you need to have water damage repaired, call a professional. 

6. Your Pipes

Electricity outages may cause heat loss, depending on the type of power source you use. During cold weather, this can cause your pipes to freeze and even burst. To prevent this from happening, turn all your faucets on and let them drip a little bit. 

How to Protect Your Home from a Power Outage

An outage can be frightening at first. However, it is important to remain calm. Keep your family and home safe during a prolonged outage by following these tips.

Call Restoration 1 of Towson if your home has been damaged by a storm.