Every single year in the United States, tens of millions of homes are affected by power outages. The US now has more power outages than any other developed country by far, owing in part to extreme weather events and in part to aging national grid infrastructure. Most of the time, a power outage is a short-lived, harmless experience.
However, a power cut can quickly turn dangerous if the right precautions are not in place. If you experience a power outage, it is important not to panic. Instead, make sure you have this essential checklist handy, which details the things you should check on immediately if your power goes out.
1. Check the Extent of the Power Outage
If you suddenly notice the power cut off, the first thing you need to do is check the extent of it. The power outage might simply be contained to your home, or it may be a regional power outage caused by things out of your control. First, Google “power outage in my area” to see if your state energy department has released a bulletin.
Call your neighbors to see if they are also experiencing a sudden loss of power. Check all of the rooms in your house to see if the power outage is only restricted to certain rooms. This will help you address the problem.
2. Check Your Appliances
So, what do I do if there is a power outage near me? It is absolutely essential that you check on all of your appliances as soon as the power goes out. If you leave all of your appliances plugged in, a massive electricity spike could occur when the power eventually comes back on.
This could not only destroy your appliances but also cause serious injury or even death. Immediately unplug all of the appliances in your home when the power goes out.
3. Check Your Fuses and Your Circuit Breaker
It is possible that the reason you have lost power is simply that you have blown a fuse. This is a common occurrence that happens in every home from time to time. Check the fuse box and see if the circuit breaker has tripped.
If it has, simply resetting the switch might restore power, as the culprit could be something as minor as a broken lightbulb. If resetting the switch does not work, you might have a more serious problem on your hands and may have to call a professional.
4. Check Your Emergency Supplies
It is good practice for every household to have a store of emergency supplies for when the power goes out. The last thing you want is to be caught short during a neighborhood power outage. Keep an emergency cupboard stocked with candles, torches, and matches.
Include power outage essentials such as a power bank for your phone. This way, you can stay updated when the power goes out.
5. Check on Your Loved Ones
Finally, you should always contact loved ones during a power outage. Providing them with a power outage update will let you know whether they are experiencing the same problem.
It will also allow you to tell them whether to come to you or whether it is safer for them to stay put. Power outages can be dangerous, so always make sure your loved ones are OK.
Address Your Power Outage Head-On
If you have a power outage in your home, the reason is most likely a minor electrical problem in your house. For this, simply calling a professional electrician is all that is needed to fix the problem and restore light and power to your home. If you are experiencing a power outage that you know is only affecting your home, then do not hesitate to get in touch with our highly experienced team in Lewisville, TX today.
