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A sudden electrical outage can happen during severe weather or storms. Sometimes, it can last for up to 2 hours which isn’t really concerning.
However, the current heavy rainfall and flooding in Sydney have caused many homes to suffer long hours of power blackouts.
It’s a situation that is more than just an inconvenience. It can lead to expensive home repairs and put your family’s safety at risk.
If your home is more likely to suffer an electrical blackout during a heavy storm and flooding, we’ve listed some tips to help you get through it safely.
1. Prepare for a Power Outage
Get some information on the latest weather reports and power outage advisories in your area. If it’s likely that your location might suffer an electrical blackout due to a storm or flood, prepare ahead of time.
Charge up your mobile phones and prepare other emergency items. Make sure to put them in a place where you can easily grab them for use.
2. Safety First
An electrical blackout imposes many hazards, especially during a flood or heavy storm. The most important thing you should think about in these times is your family’s safety.
Make sure to turn off the power in your home, even if there’s a major blackout. The electrical connection might suddenly come back, and you wouldn’t want your appliances to get damaged due to power surges.
3. Unplug Your Appliances
Unplugging every appliance at home comes after switching off the power lines. Don’t leave your electronic devices plugged into electrical outlets.
You may also have to move everything to higher ground to ensure safety in case of flooding.
4. Check with Your Neighbour
See if your neighbour also experienced an electrical blackout. If so, notify your electric supply authority and get some information.
If things get more dangerous and the power connection is still out, you may have to evacuate from your home.
5. Grab Your Emergency Kit
When caught up in an electrical blackout during a flood or heavy storm, it’s essential to have an emergency kit prepared ahead.
Your emergency kit should contain batteries and flashlights that you can use to light up your way when you go around your house. It must also have other essential items if you ever need to evacuate your home.
6. Save Your Phone’s Battery Life
Your smartphones can be your lifeline during an electrical outage. If you’ve charged up your phone before the power cuts off, make sure to use it efficiently.
Conserve its battery life by switching it to a power-saving setting. But remember, you can’t always depend on your phone as its battery power will eventually drain, especially if the blackout takes too long.
It’s best to write down phone numbers and addresses where you can possibly get supplies, shelter, or an electrical connection.
7. Use Power Generator Safely
If you have a generator at home, make sure to use it the right way. Improperly running it can greatly threaten your and your family’s life.
A small portable generator can power your home temporarily. But there are important things you need to know to operate it safely.
Generators release carbon monoxide, which is harmful to human health. Prolonged exposure to a high level of this substance can put your life in danger.
So, follow the correct usage to keep your entire family safe while using a power generator.
8. Keep the Refrigerator Door Closed
During a power outage, storing food can be quite a headache. If you have perishable goods in your fridge and freezer, keep the doors closed.
Don’t open them unless necessary. You can keep your foods frozen for up to 36 hours if your fridge and freezer doors remain closed.
Also, check for spoilage before consuming the food stored in your refrigerator.
9. Beware of Electrical lines
Even if the electrical connection is down, you should always be careful in a place where power lines are present, especially during a flood.
If floodwaters have entered your home, stay in a space where it’s safe and dry. When things get out of hand, evacuate immediately and don’t compromise your family’s safety.
Be extremely cautious when leaving your home as power lines and electrical wires might be hiding under floodwaters. If you get trapped, call for a rescue team and stay safe.
10. Don’t Take Chances
Electrical blackouts threaten our lives, especially during storms or floods. It’s a time when you’re more likely to get hurt but unlikely to receive immediate care.
Don’t make hasty decisions during these times. Your objective is to keep your family safe until the power is back. Listen to your battery-powered radio for information on the outage and advisories from authorities.
Follow the tips mentioned earlier to get through an electrical blackout at home. Unplug and remove anything that might put your family at risk.
At Aussie Junk, we assist you in preparing your home for floods and blackouts. We help you clean your home, removing any debris that might get in your way and injure you during an electrical blackout.
We make careful and safe actions to ensure your safety at all times. Contact us anytime in Sydney!
