With the freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and potential ice storms upon us, SiteTech Electrical is here today to assist you in getting your home prepared for the cold winter season. The winter season brings on stress to the home’s electrical system so it’s important that your home is well-prepared for the season. Follow along with this guideline that was put together by your local Richmond Hill Electrician to help you understand the necessary precautions that should be performed in your home.
Prepare for Power Outages
During the winter, there are many conditions that can lead to power outages. This includes extreme snowfalls, the formation of ice, and extremely windy conditions. When these conditions happen, power lines and transformers can be taken down which can result in power outages. In order to prepare for this type of situation, it’s important to create a safety kit that will include enough supplies to last you up to 72 hours. This type of safety kit should include LED flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, matches, and candles.
Install Surge Protectors
Surge protectors are devices that are used to prevent damage to electronic equipment when the voltage “spikes”. During power outages, it’s common to see power surges that last for a few milliseconds to a few seconds that can result in severe damage to your home’s appliances. When a surge protector is installed, it can safeguard your high-tech electronic devices from any power surges that occur.
TIP: Be sure to install one on your computer in order to avoid losing important data in the case of a power surge.
Use Caution with Zone Heaters
If you are planning to use a zone heater this winter, there are a few basic safety tips to follow to ensure that the greatest caution is used to avoid a house fire. Heaters should be placed at least 3 feet away from any object. This includes furniture, blankets, and curtains. As well, heaters should always be plugged into a wall and not into an extension cord. In addition, you should always turn off the heater before you leave the room or go to bed.
Consider a Backup Generator
If your home does not have a backup generator, it’s time to consider one. Remote areas that lose power have a good chance of being out of power for several days. If living in a remote area applies to you, it’s important to consider getting a backup generator. A backup generator can keep your fridge cold and your heaters hot during long stretches of no power. If you own a backup generator, take this as your sign to check if it’s in working condition before winter begins.
How We Can Help
If you are looking for a licensed general electrical contractor in Richmond Hill to come by and assist you with any electrical problem you are experiencing in your home, a member of our team from SiteTech Electrical would be happy to come out and help you. Please call us at (647) 939-3239 today for more information.
