Those who have experienced a winter storm in Maryland or Northern Virginia know that our winter weather isn’t accurately portrayed by the calm, beautiful white wintry scenes you see in holiday photos. Power outages can occur–and you’ll want to be prepped and ready if and when they do. Bailey & Shipp Electric, the premier residential and commercial electrical contractors in the area, shares some of the essentials here.
Before a Power Outage
Winter storms can down power lines and damage equipment, leaving homes without a steady supply of heat. You need to plan ahead before the cold settles in, so make sure to:
Stock your pantry with non-perishable food and bottled water. If you have pets, don’t forget about their food, as well.
Put together an evacuation plan and survival kit to be used in extreme circumstances.
Have a secondary non-electric heater in place, like a fireplace or wood stove. Clean it regularly and safely store fuel for it.
Take the time to do some pre-winter home maintenance.
Check whether your standby generator is in good condition. If you don’t have one for your home, you can turn to a trusted electrician like Bailey & Shipp Electric. Give us a call and we’ll tell you about the quality power generators we offer and help you decide which one will best fit your home.
During the Power Outage
Now that it’s actually happened, what’s your next step? You should:
Hunker down and stay warm.
Determine if the power outage goes beyond your home. Check the breakers and power lines, and call the electric company if the lines are damaged or down.
Make sure the room is well-ventilated when lighting a fire in the grate to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Unplug electronics and appliances to avoid a power surge when the electricity is restored.
Listen for updates on a battery-powered device. Save your smartphone’s battery for making a call if there’s an emergency.
After the Power Outage
So the power has come back on. Before doing anything else, make sure to:
Check that all devices and appliances are unplugged before flipping the main power switch on.
Turn the water supply back on, but keep the taps on lower levels closed to allow air to escape from the upper taps.
Keep the indoor temperature slightly above normal for a few hours to help dry your house.
Call Us Now
Bailey & Shipp Electric remains one of the most trusted electrical contractors in the area because of our commitment to delivering complete client satisfaction. Look no further for superior electrical solutions and customer-centric service that you’d be happy to recommend to a friend. Call us today at (410) 457-3507 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation. We proudly serve areas in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia.