What to Do with Your Appliances During a Power Outage

No Power? Use These Tips to Protect Your Appliances

Power outages can happen when you least expect it. Climate change is making severe weather more common across the U.S., including the Bay Area. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and heavy rains can all leave you and your loved ones without power. Your home’s power supply is likely connected to dozens of appliances and devices. When the power goes out, take these steps to protect your appliances from long-term damage:

Unplug Appliances

If you’re stuck without power, unplugging your appliances may be the last item on your to-do list, but it should be one of your first priorities. Unplug all unnecessary items from the power grid to prevent surge damage. The sudden rush of electricity can damage some appliances and devices. When the voltage is higher than normal, it leads to an arc of electrical current. This can lead to overheating and electrical failure in some cases.

Sensitive appliances and electronics should be hooked up to a surge protector to reduce the arc of current when the power comes back on.

Leave at least one light on, so you know when the power comes back on. Keep the refrigerator and freezer shut to keep your food cold for as long as possible.

When spending time in the dark, limit possible fire hazards by using battery-powered lights instead of candles and lanterns.

Turning Appliances Back On

Once the power comes back on, there are a few things to keep in mind. You’ll need to complete a few steps before reconnecting your appliances to the power grid.

First, inspect your home for damage if you experienced a storm. Watch out for damaged power lines and excess moisture around outlets. Report any downed lines or electrical issues to your utility company or a professional.

If your home appears intact, wait a few minutes before plugging your appliances in to avoid power surges. Start with essential appliances and electronics to see how these devices react before moving onto the other rooms of your home.

You’ll also need to reset any timers or clocks that may have been affected by the outage. If an appliance isn’t working, you may need to restart it. Contact the manufacturer or refer to the user manual for more information.

Make a Plan

You and your loved ones should always have a plan in case you lose power. The plan should include reaching out to your loved ones, turning off appliances, and gathering all the necessary materials for coping in the dark, including radios, flashlights, and backup generators. Make sure everyone in your home knows what to do in this situation.

Going without power is sure to disrupt your daily routine. As frustrating as these outages can be, you shouldn’t have to worry about damaging your appliances. Contact the professionals at Absolute Appliance Repair in San Francisco to have an expert repair your devices as fast as possible.