Recent storms across Ohio caused widespread damage and the loss of power to 240,000 AEP Ohio customers. It’s a reminder of how important it is to be prepared for sudden power outages. Severe storms, heavy snow, heatwaves and power grid failures have all made extended power outages more common in recent years. Here are some steps you can take to limit damage to your home and reduce the cost of power outages and power surges.
- When severe weather is iminent, unplug sensitive electronics to prevent damage from power fluctuations. Don’t rely on surge protectors to protect equipment from lightning strikes.
- Maintain a 3-4 day supply of drinking water and non-perishable food.
- Have flashlights and extra batteries on hand.
- If you have a portable generator, ensure it has fresh fuel and is placed well away from windows and doors when operating.
- Avoid opening your refrigerator when the power goes out. If the doors stay closed, food will stay safe for up to 4 hours in a refrigerator and 24 hours in a half-full freezer.
- Consider upgrading to a battery-backup sump pump. Because storms can bring heavy rain in addition to power outages, your sump pump needs to be able to operate without power.
Check Your Homeowner’s Policy
A power surge can be caused by a spike outside the home, or inside from a malfunctioning electrical system. Whatever the source, power spikes can destroy appliances and expensive gadgets in the blink of an eye. Check to ensure that your homeowners insurance policy has personal property coverage that includes damaged or destroyed appliances and electronics caused by power surges.
Some policies cover loss of food in a refrigerator due to a power outage up to $500, but not additional living expenses if you can’t live or work at home because of the power outage.
Standby Generators and Surge Protection
To avoid the expense, inconvenience and discomfort of power outages, consider a standby generator. When the power from the utility company goes out a standby generator automatically starts up to power your essential appliances – or your entire home – using natural gas. When the power is restored to the grid the generator automatically shuts down.
With a generator and whole-home surge protection from Clover Electric, you’ll enjoy all the comforts of home when the power goes out – air conditioning, lights, a working refrigerator, TV … and just as important, peace of mind.
