Recently extreme weather events seem to be happening more often in our DelMarVa area. Protecting ourselves from disastrous events such as the flooding that resulted from a severe rainstorm in Ellicott City, and a tornado that damaged many homes and businesses in Edgewater and Annapolis is crucial. Here are some ways we can protect our homes and businesses during extreme weather:
1. Install a Backup Power Generator
Having a permanent backup power generator is invaluable during a power outage. The cost outlay to install one is not insignificant but the payoff is immediate when you need the power. When a storm takes down power in your neighborhood, you can protect your appliances and keep sump pumps functioning to prevent flooding. In the event of an extended outage, you can keep your home at a safe temperature and be able to charge devices.
2. Know Where Your Cutoff Switches Are
Be ready to turn off the power, water, and gas to your home during an emergency. Learn where the cutoff switches are located and how to use them in advance of a problem. Also, show family members in case you’re not at home when an emergency happens.
3. Be Fire Safe
Install fresh batteries in your smoke alarms when the time changes or even better have hard-wired smoke alarms or wireless smoke alarms that are connected to each other. This type of smoke alarm will sound throughout a house even if the fire is only in the basement. An earlier alert can help you get your family to safety faster. Read these fire safety tips from the Red Cross.
4. Water Leak Warning Alarm
Get alerted if there is a water leak in your home when you’re away with a water sensor alarm. Place the sensor alarm near a water heater, sump pump or washing machine to get alerted to any water on the floor. If it detects a leak, the sensor triggers an alarm, sends text alerts, and shuts off the main water supply to prevent damage.
5. Install Whole Home Surge Protection
If your home is struck by lightning, a power surge can destroy your appliances and electronic equipment. Even small surges can destroy your appliances and electronics over time. Power surges can even be caused by maintenance work and faulty wiring.
A whole-home surge protector offers much more protection than individual power strips. While power strip extension cords just protect the equipment that is plugged into them.
Your whole home surge protector will be installed outside or inside your electrical panel. It detects an increase in voltage and instantly, safely diverts the excess power to your home’s grounding path. Call us for a free estimate for any of these electrical upgrades to be ready for extreme weather.
