Imagine yourself sitting in front of your TV, watching your favourite crime series on Netflix. Suddenly, just when you’re about to find out who the real murderer is, the power goes out. Before you start calling your residential electrician to help turn the power back on, there are things you need to do to ensure your and your family’s safety.
How To Handle A Power Outage
Determine the Cause
There may be several reasons that blackouts happen. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Blown Fuse
Even a simple broken light bulb or any faulty appliance can blow up a fuse that can result in a power outage. Check your trip switch. If the fuse blew up or the trip switch is in the “off” position, it’s likely because of a faulty appliance or wiring.
- Scheduled power interruption
Electrical companies sometimes schedule power interruption for maintenance purposes. Call your energy provider or visit their website and social media accounts for announcements you may have missed.
- Electrical Emergencies
Fallen trees, lightning striking, vehicular accidents, fires, vandalism, and even birds or other animals messing with power lines can cause underground power cable damage and fallen power lines. When this happens, there will be a community blackout, and residential electricians need to do repairs.
What to do when there is a power outage
Switch Off Your Appliances
Except for keeping one light on (so you know if the power is back), manually switch off and unplug ALL appliances during the power outage. Doing so helps prevent device damage in the event of a power surge.
Most appliances wouldn’t have any issues switched off for hours. It’s a different case with your freezers and refrigerators as the food inside might start to thaw. So keep the fridge doors closed as much as possible during a power failure. When the electricity is back, check the state of your food and discard anything that has spoiled.
Be Prepared
Have a plan in place for any power outage. Have available sources of light and heat. Stock up on batteries, power banks, candles and matches. If you have a backup generator, use it as directed and with extreme caution.
When To Call Your Residential Electrician During A Power Outage
Engage the services of a licensed electrician when:
- You have a faulty appliance that has caused the power outage
- An appliance feels extremely hot and has a smell of smoke
- Outlets are burnt or charred and have an odour of smoke
- You’re not familiar with fuse boxes or trip switches
- Fuses are blown, or you have a problem with the circuit breaker
Call A Trusted Detlev’s Residential Electrician
At Detlev’s, we have a team of qualified residential electricians and commercial electricians offering electrical services Canberra region. Our licensed electricians are highly skilled to handle emergency electrical cases. If you need help, please contact us.