Tips to Stay Safe during a Power Outage Caused by Storm Damage

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton offers four tips to help Richardson, TX, homeowners stay safe during a power outage.

SERVPRO of Carrollton provides flood damage restoration services to assist homeowners, businesses, and property managers with cleanup and recovery. During a flood damage disaster, water damage, structural destruction, and mold infestation are not the only hazards victims face. During severe weather, power outages can occur. SERVPRO of Carrollton highlights safety practices that can avoid personal injury and help keep everyone safe.

Staying Out of Danger When Severe Weather Causes a Power Outage

Thunderstorms, hail, high winds, tornadoes, tropical storms, and hurricanes are a part of life in Northeast Texas and the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area. Widespread power grid failures due to extreme cold are also possible, as was experienced in February of 2021. Severe weather conditions in any season of the year can cause a power outage. The inability to regulate the home’s temperature during an extended power outage creates real and potential safety hazards in the house. Families turn to alternative power sources to stay comfortable, keep the lights on, cook, and charge devices. Generators are fired up, and during a cold snap, so are grills, firepits, cook stoves, seldom-used fireplaces, and the old-fashioned campfire in the backyard. Personal safety depends upon a keen awareness of the risks associated with each alternative and the hazards they present. Preparation, vigilance, caution, and a ready response when something goes wrong can saves lives and avoid or minimize property damage. Listed below are some tips to stay safe and out of danger when the power is out.

Tip #1: Light up the darkness

Darkness is dangerous. Difficulty seeing increases the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Flashlights and other forms of battery-powered lighting should be stored in accessible locations throughout the home. Replace the batteries in these devices annually. An ample supply of fresh batteries should be stockpiled. LED technology has greatly improved flashlight technology. A traditional flashlight may have lasted only a couple of hours. Depending on the type of LED flashlight, the burn time on high can be from 1.5 to 7 hours. On low, an LED flashlight may yield light for up to 50 hours, far exceeding the capacity of a traditional flashlight. Remove traditional flashlights from circulation and replace them with LED. The LED devices are smaller, brighter, longer-lasting, shock-resistant, water-resistant, and more affordable than ever.

Candles may have sentimental value and create an ambiance that eases the anxiety arising from a power outage. However, as an emergency light source, candles are a leading cause of house fires. Candles are responsible for approximately 15,600 home and apartment fires, resulting in 1,270 injuries and 150 deaths. Property damage is nearly $540 million. The majority of candle fires are caused when a lit candle ignites nearby combustible material. Many of these tragic fires can be prevented simply by not using candles for illumination during a power outage.

Tip #2: Exercise caution when operating a portable generator

After the widespread power outage in February of 2021, the sales of power generators are skyrocketing as homeowners and businesses are taking measures to be prepared for future power outages. Safety is crucial when operating a generator powered by gasoline, natural gas, or diesel.

• Location: Operate a generator outside on solid ground. Keep the generator away from doors, windows, and vents to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide fumes.
• Environment: Keep the generator in a dry place, preferably under a canopy-like structure open on all sides.
• Electrical safety: Keep hands dry at all times when touching the unit. Plug appliances directly into the generator. Only use a heavy-duty outdoor-rated extension cord. Never connect the generator to the home’s wiring.
• Fueling: Shut off the unit and let it cool before refueling. Store fuel in a secure outdoor location at least fifty feet from any structure. The non-glass fuel container should be clearly labeled.
• Operation: Do not overload the generator. Check to make sure that any connected appliances are turned off prior to starting the generator. A generator is a short-term solution. Avoid prolonged operation. Allow the unit to have intermittent rest periods.

Tip #3: Take precautions for food safety

Both refrigerators and freezers are well-insulated and do not need a constant flow of electricity to keep contents cool or frozen. However, the fridge needs to keep an internal temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the appliance needs one hour of power for every four hours without power. A full freezer can keep food safely frozen for 48 hours if the unit is not opened. A half-full freezer will keep the contents frozen for 24 hours. Monitor the internal temperature, which should be kept at 40 degrees or below.

Tip #4: Practice general power outage safety

If a downed powerline is in the yard or road, assume the wire is “hot” with electricity. Do not touch anything that is in contact with the wires. If the wires are submerged in a pool of water, do not go near the water. Call 911 or the utility company to inform emergency personnel of the danger. Basements are rare in North Texas for geological reasons. In any case, never wade into a flooded basement. The power could come back without any notice. A neighbor’s generator could be feeding electrical current into the local grid, electrifying the basement flood waters.

Avoid injuries during cleanup after severe weather by wearing protective gear such as long sleeves, gloves, sturdy shoes or boots, a mask or respirator, and safety glasses or goggles.

Trust the professionals at SERVPRO of Carrollton when flood damage restoration services are needed for a home or business. The team responds rapidly to provide a quick cleanup and restoration 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays.

To learn more about storm damage restoration in Richardson, TX, contact SERVPRO of Carrollton by calling (972) 446-0383 or by emailing office@SERVPRO10952.com