Tips to Prepare for Spring Storm Power Outages

No matter where you are geographically, spring weather is known for being unpredictable. There are a number of weather events that occur as the seasons change, all of which tend to bring power outages. Electricity outages can leave you and your family in the dark for hours or more. While inconvenient, these power outages can also be dangerous. That's why it's essential to always be prepared and have a plan to protect your home before severe weather hits.

Tips to Protect Your Home

Severe weather in the spring can look like lightning, tornadoes and flooding. Is your home ready for all of those possibilities? To help you prepare for the next power outage, Bradley Mechanical has put together a few of our top recommendations for keeping the lights on.

Install Surge Protectors

Most homes have multiple expensive electronics, and it's critical to protect them during a storm, such as:

• Televisions
• Computers
• Workout equipment
• Game consoles
• Home appliances

All of these items can be vulnerable to power surges during a spring thunderstorm. One way to avoid damage is by unplugging all of these electronics ahead of a storm. However, that can be hard if you're away from home or have to continue using these devices.

Having plug-in or whole house surge protectors installed reduces the chances of damaging and destroying your electronics. There are many different types of surge protectors on the market, and not all of them can protect your investments. Bradley Mechanical's certified electricians can help you choose the right surge protection for your home and even professionally install it for added peace of mind.

Invest in a Home Generator

In the case of a power outage, a generator can be a lifesaver. It can help keep your:

• Lights on
• Refrigerator and freezer running
• Phones charging
• Computers working
• Televisions on to stay tuned in to vital weather updates
• And so much more.

There are many different types of generators available depending on your power needs. A portable generator will likely suffice if you just need a few lights and critical appliances available. That said, portable generators don't have the capability to run for hours on end and come with a few safety hazards.

To protect you and your family, our team recommends investing in a whole house generator. A whole house generator can keep your electricity flowing without interruption, whether the power outage lasts for a few hours or several days. Bradley Mechanical carries a variety of generator systems that can help protect your home in the event of a power outage.

Get Familiar with Your Home Shut Offs

Everything that feeds into your home has a way of being manually shut off. Make sure that everyone in your family knows how to shut off water, gas and electricity in the event of a severe storm. Don't know where these switches are? Here are a few places to check:

• The main shutoff valve for water is often located in the basement or crawl space. It can also be found on the outside wall of a utility area.
• Newer homes with higher pressure gas systems usually have a main shutoff valve for gas located near a furnace, boiler or water heater.
• Every home has an electrical service panel where circuit breakers for the entire house are kept. This panel for electricity is usually located in a garage, utility room or basement. Circuit breakers can be shut off individually, or you can shut off power to them all by flipping the main breaker switch.

If you still can't locate one or all of these switches, give Bradley Mechanical a call. Our team can troubleshoot over the phone or make a house visit to find these panels.

Create a Home Emergency Kit

Your home emergency kit should be able to sustain you for at least three days. It should include items like:

• A fully stocked first aid kit
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• A portable radio
• Portable phone chargers
• Drinking water
• Non-perishable food
• And essential medications.

It's also a good idea to have a list of emergency contacts – including the number of your local electrician.

Be prepared for anything with Bradley Mechanical. When it comes to bad weather, we've seen and experienced it all. Our team of certified plumbers, electricians and HVAC experts are ready to serve you and answer all your questions. After all, our biggest priority is your safety.

Let's work together to prepare your home for the next severe thunderstorm, flood or power outage. We've been keeping our community safe and comfortable for over 50 years, and it would be our pleasure to help you protect your home.