You rely heavily on the electricity inside your home to power everything from air conditioning, heating and electronics. However, what happens when the power goes off and you have no more electricity? There are a number of safety tips you should follow to keep you and your family safe during power outages.
The power can go out for a variety of reasons including car wrecks that take out electrical poles, strong winds and other weather events. Read the following three tips to prepare for possible power outages. A Miami electrician should be consulted if your power goes off and everyone else in the neighborhood has power. A Miami electrician will check for signs of electricity problems inside your home.
Flashlights
Keep several flashlights with fresh batteries in various places inside your home. Do not use candles for lighting, since they can easily start a fire. You can buy large lanterns that run on batteries that give you a large amount of light. Look for these types of lighting at your local retail store’s camping section. Open the doors and windows if it is hot outside. Keep bottled water inside an emergency kit along with canned foods, medicines and a first aid kit.
Generators
Generators may seem to be the answer to a power outage situation, but their fumes are deadly. Never operate a generator near doors and windows. Keep it as far away from your home as necessary. There are times that the power may be out due to circuit overloads in your home. Call an electrician in Miami to check your home’s wiring if this is a problem. An electrician in Miami can be found 24 hours a day.
Food and Water Safety
If the power in your home is out for less than four hours, then the food inside should be safe to eat. Throw away refrigerated foods when power is out for longer periods. Do not drink tap water until authorities have deemed it safe. Keep your freezer full, because if the power goes out, the food will still be good for 24 hours.