For Florida residents, power outages can be an all-too-common occurrence. The power may go out for a few hours during an afternoon shower or for days after a tropical storm. As a Florida property owner, you’ll benefit from learning the steps to take when you lose power.
Check Circuit Breakers
When the power goes out, your first mission is to determine whether your home is the only one affected. In many cases, the outage is due to a system error away from your property, and entire blocks go dark. There’s a chance, though, that the power has darkened only your own house. Perhaps, rather than an actual outage, you’ve simply tripped a circuit breaker. Equipped with a flashlight, take a look at your electrical panel to make sure that all of your circuits are still on. If one has been tripped, reset it. Doing so may restore the flow of electricity to your lights and appliances right away.
Contact the Authorities
If you determine that the power outage can’t be resolved with the flip of a breaker, check with neighbors to see whether others are experiencing the same problem. Then, report the outage to your electricity supplier. You may be able to use the company’s app or website to do this without needing to speak with an agent. However, if someone in your household requires power for critical medical equipment, it’s a good idea to let a customer service representative know. Throughout the outage, periodically check the utility provider’s website for updates on the situation. The electric company may be able to provide an estimated time when power will be restored. Although this isn’t a guarantee, having a timeframe in mind may help you plan your next steps.
Avoid Downed Lines
Overhead power lines are vulnerable to damage during heavy Florida storms. If you spot a downed line, steer clear. You should never touch a fallen or damaged line because you can’t know whether there’s electricity flowing through it. In fact, depending on the type of line, experts recommend keeping a distance of 30 to 100 feet. This holds true even if you’re in your car. Never drive over a downed line; rather, go around it or turn back. Make sure to call 911 to report the problem. Emergency services will reach out to the local utility company to tend to the line as soon as possible. In addition to staying away from the line, warn others to do so as well.
Disconnect Electronics
Your power could come back on at any time. When that happens, a surge of electricity could flow through your wires to your appliances. Power surges are a common source of damage to household electronics. To protect your gear, unplug items from the wall during a power outage, especially if your house isn’t equipped with whole-home surge protection. Items to unplug include computers, televisions, gaming consoles, and microwaves. In general, experts don’t recommend unplugging major appliances. The exception is if an appliance was on when the power went out — for example, you were baking something in the oven.
Protect Your Food
Particularly on a hot Florida day, a power outage can quickly compromise the safety of your perishable food. To keep your food good for as long as possible, keep the refrigerator and the freezer shut. Opening these appliances exposes the contents to warm air. If you keep the door closed, you can count on food in the refrigerator remaining good for about four hours. The goal is for the refrigerator temperature to stay at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Perishable foods held above that temperature for more than two hours should be thrown out. You can transfer items to coolers filled with ice to extend their life. As for the freezer, it can keep food at the proper temperature for 24 to 48 hours, depending on how full it is. You can safely refreeze items that still have ice crystals when the power is restored. Refrigerated medicines are another concern during a power outage. Contact your pharmacy for guidance or a replacement.
Stay in the Know
During a power outage, especially an extended one, it’s important to keep in touch with local announcements. Have a trusted news source you can turn to in such times. Keeping a battery-powered radio on hand, along with extra batteries, will ensure that you have a way to tune into updates. Announcements may include information about safety hazards, estimated restoration times, and water distribution sites.
Prioritize Battery Life
While you may be tempted to pass the time by playing games on your phone, it’s better to conserve your device’s battery power. During a lengthy outage, you may not have a reliable way to recharge your phone and your external battery packs. If you run out of juice, you might not be able to use your devices when you really need them. Whenever possible, limit their use to quickly checking in with friends and family, getting reports to or from your utility company, and looking up critical information.
Seek Emergency Shelter
A lengthy power outage can be dangerous during a Florida heat wave, especially for residents with medical concerns. While cold snaps are less common, they’re not unheard of in the area. If the temperature drops and the power is out, keeping warm can be a concern. A local cooling or warming center could provide the relief that you need. Know where shelter is available and be willing to relocate there if necessary. While you may miss your familiar surroundings, your safety is whats’ most important. Plus, emergency centers often support visitors with refreshments, seating areas, activities, and socialization opportunities.
Guard Against Future Outages
Since power outages are common in Florida, you’re likely to face this problem more than once. Instead of stressing about when the next outage will occur, take steps to maintain your power no matter the circumstances. A whole-home generator can keep your essentials running, even when your neighbors are in the dark. With a backup generator, you’ll have options for keeping your food cool and your lights on. You will be able to charge your smartphone so that you can check in on friends and keep family members up to date on your situation. This power source can be especially important for homeowners who depend on flood-prevention sump pumps or life-saving medical devices.
Top Flight Electric is a trusted name in generators for Winter Haven properties. You can count on our team to outfit your home with a generator that suits your year-round power needs. Not only will we provide expert generator installation, but we’ll also teach you how to operate your generator safely and efficiently. Our team understands Florida property owners’ electrical needs. In addition to reliable generators, we specialize in surge protection and circuit breaker care.
Don’t let frequent power outages and their side effects get you down. Instead, turn to the experts at Top Flight Electric for all of your electrical needs. Call today to schedule your appointment with Top Flight Electric for top-rated electrical care in Winter Haven and the surrounding area.
