If the power in your St. Louis, MO, home goes out during a snowstorm, there’s no need to panic. You can take several steps to protect your home and the electronics and appliances inside while maintaining comfort and safety until the power returns. Once power is restored, Potts Electric is here to help with any electrical issues that you may be experiencing.
Close Rooms That You’re Not Going to Use
To help retain some of the heat left in your home after the power goes off and your HVAC system stops working, close off rooms that you’re not currently using. This will help prevent drafts and airflow, which can make your home feel colder. You can take this one step further by placing rolled-up towels or draft snakes along the underside of your doors so air cannot pass underneath them.
Add Layers of Clothing To Keep Warm
Wear additional layers of clothing to help retain body heat. You can also find a cozy spot in your home and cover yourself with blankets. In extreme conditions, when the power is out for a long time, some experts suggest creating a tent-like structure to stay in. This area will trap some of your heat, making it feel warmer than the rest of your home.
Use a Backup Generator
Backup generators are excellent solutions for generating power when your main electricity is interrupted. If you own a portable unit, ensure it is placed away from windows and doors to prevent dangerous levels of carbon monoxide from accumulating in your home. A whole-house generator should activate automatically when the power goes out.
Depending on the size of your generator, you may be able to run everything in your home as usual. However, some individuals choose a smaller generator that can only power some of their home’s main appliances and features, such as lighting, refrigerators, stoves, and water heaters.
Ensure your generator is inspected and maintained annually to keep it running reliably and efficiently before winter begins.
Have a Surge Protection Installed
When the power in your home goes out and comes back on, surges can damage your electronics and appliances. To prevent potential damage from power outages, install surge protection throughout your home before the winter months. You can choose a whole-house surge protector, which is installed on your main electrical panel. It will monitor incoming electricity and divert excess voltage when necessary.
Unplug All Devices and Appliances
If you don’t have surge protection, unplug your important electronics and appliances when the power goes out. This will prevent damage caused by surges when the power comes back on.
Use Backup Batteries
You can purchase all kinds of backup battery units to power your lights, electronics, and devices. You must use the appropriate batteries for the right electronics to prevent damage. You must also periodically charge these batteries so they’re at full capacity when the power goes out during a storm.
Be Ready To Leave
If the temperature inside your home is dropping significantly and you’re feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, have an evacuation plan in place. Prepare a designated bag for power outages filled with winter clothes and emergency items such as a flashlight, batteries, and non-perishable food. Identify a family member or friend nearby with whom you can stay until the power is restored. If the weather outside makes it impossible to leave, you may need to call emergency services for assistance.
Monitor Your Plumbing System
In some cases, a power outage can result in household temperatures that increase the risk of your pipes freezing. If your pipes freeze and then burst, this can cause extensive water damage, structural issues, and mold growth. During a power outage, keep an eye on your pipes to make sure they aren’t becoming too cold or showing signs of condensation or ice buildup.
If pipes appear to be freezing, wrap them in towels soaked in hot water if hot water is available. You can also leave cabinets open to promote warm air flow around your pipes. Other signs that indicate frozen pipes include low water pressure, bulging pipes, and water pooling.
You can reduce the risk of frozen pipes by leaving them to drip slightly when temperatures dip dangerously or turning off the water to pipes along outside walls entirely when the power is out.
Stock up on Supplies Ahead of a Storm
Don’t be caught unprepared when a storm hits and the power goes out. If you only have fresh foods at home that need cooking but don’t have access to a stove or oven, you’ll find it difficult to make meals. Keep non-perishable items in your pantry that will sustain you until the power returns. This includes granola bars, fruit cups, cereal, crackers, and other snacks.
Have Alternative Cooking Devices Ready
Your primary stovetop and oven may not function, but you can find alternative methods to prepare food during a power outage. Of course, you’ll need to have the right battery backup. However, battery packs and even portable generators can power devices like a hot plate, electric griddle, or toaster.
Practice Space Heater Safety
If you plan to run a space heater with a generator, be cautious with this device. Space heaters often cause house fires when left unattended or when they malfunction. Ensure you are near your space heater while it is operating. Do not position your space heater in a location where someone could trip over it.
Avoid placing the cord of your space heater under a rug, as this creates a tripping hazard that could cause it to tip over. Never use an extension cord with a space heater, and always adhere to the provided instructions to reduce the risk of fire or other hazards.
Have Plenty of Fuel Available
You’ll need fuel to run your portable generator. Make sure you have enough to last several days.
Once the Power Goes Back On
Once power is restored to your home, you’ll want to check a few things before life goes back to normal. If you have food in your refrigerator or freezer that was there for several days without your appliances running, you may need to discard some items. Don’t eat any foods that feel warm to the touch or have an odd smell.
Go around your home and plug back in any devices or electronics that you unplugged when the power went out. Do so one at a time, ensuring that everything is rebooting normally. Make sure circuits are not tripping while this is being done.
Our electrical Potts Electric can help with a variety of electrical issues that may result from the power going out during a snowstorm. This includes electrical repair and other services such as EV charging stations, new construction, wiring inspections, whole-house generator installations, whole-house surge protection, and electrical panel expansion.
Contact Potts Electric in St. Louis today to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
