Hurricane season starts in this month. Being prepared for the worst and hoping for the best is the right plan of action for those of us living in the Ft. Myers area. Because hurricanes are always very disruptive and nerve-wracking, no matter what the season is predicted to be like, being ready is the goal.

Get Ahead of Hurricane Season

Electrical safety is paramount during and after a hurricane. Preparing your home’s electrical, as well as being aware of your electrical needs, is necessary to be ready for hurricane season. To help you out, the electrical professionals here at Best Home Services have pulled together this guide to help you with one of the major issues that occurs with a hurricane—losing your electricity.

Check Your Home’s Wiring

Outdated wiring is potentially hazardous even when the weather is fine. However, for older homes, these issues may be compounded during a storm. Even newer homes could have electrical issues, especially if someone did some DIY electrical work around the house. A good first step in prepping for hurricane season is to have your electrical system inspected by a professional. Spotting and fixing small electrical issues now can save a lot of trouble, stress, and money down the road.

Other than wiring inspection and repair, there are other ways you can prepare your whole home to endure the upcoming hurricane season.

Protect and Insulate Outdoor Electrical Equipment

Protecting your home’s electrical wiring doesn’t stop with the inside of your home. There is wiring on the exterior of your house that should be inspected, insulated and protected as well.

Any unsecured electrical panels or wiring on the outside of your home should be fastened down tightly and insulated against water. Cover your outdoor generator with a secure tarp or watertight plastic covering/housing to help ensure your outdoor electrical equipment will remain undamaged.

While we all know that water and electricity do not mix, keep in mind that wind is not a friend of electricity either. Trees that have branches overhanging or near power lines near your home should be trimmed. Extension cords that run through your yard can be a hazard as well because they can shift or cause an electrocution hazard if flooding happens.

Whole Home Surge Protectors

Power surges are caused most often by downed power lines, sudden power outages, or lightning strikes. A power surge can damage or completely break electric devices and appliances. To protect against these power surges, use plug-in surge protectors throughout your home. These wall plug-in power strips are very good at protecting your devices from everyday power surges. However, they are not strong enough to protect your devices and electric devices from lightning strikes or other large surges that are more likely to happen during a hurricane.

Preparing ahead of time for hurricane season includes protecting your home from these power surges and a great way to do that is by installing a whole home surge protector. These devices protect the entire electrical system of your house from damage, rather than just a few outlets. Contact the professional electricians at Best Home Services to find out which system would work best in your home.

Backup Power

Even the best prepared home can still lose electrical power during a hurricane. Along with flooding and wind damage, widespread power outages are common both during and after hurricanes or other large storms. Hurricane winds and flooding can knock down power lines, blow transformers, and damage power plants, leaving thousands without power for days or even weeks.

Having a backup power source is a good idea for every homeowner. For homeowners who are living in the path of frequent natural disasters, having a backup power source is even more crucial. If you live in southwest Florida, a generator that can power your home for an extended period is a worthwhile investment.

A small gasoline powered generator isn’t going to provide enough power to keep you going through an extended hurricane electrical outage, and gasoline shortages are common in storm situations.

Look into getting a home standby generators can power your entire home and kick on automatically when power goes out. They run on natural gas or propane, making the need to find and keep gasoline in the aftermath of a hurricane unnecessary.

Contact an experienced electrician from Best Home Services to learn more about how a home standby generator can be installed at your home.

When the Hurricane is Imminent

When a hurricane is on its way, there are some things you should keep in mind and have at the ready.

First, always be aware that no matter how well you have prepared your home, things can still go wrong with your electricity. Keep the phone number for Best Home Services handy: (239) 291-0860.

Charge all your devices before you lose electricity

At the first sign of an incoming hurricane, you should make sure you have all your important and necessary devices charged before your electricity goes out. Remember: Do not charge your phone using an outlet that has no surge protection.

Charge up your portable battery chargers for your small devices

Charged portable battery chargers can be a lifesaver. After your electricity has gone out, being able to charge your phone could save a life – literally. Don’t let your important communication devices die—make sure these items are fully charged and keep them handy at all times.

Keep flashlights or battery-powered lanterns ready.

Working flashlights or charged battery-powered lanterns should be kept ready and easily accessible to everyone. DO NOT USE CANDLES.

Prepare Now, Before the Storm

Time flies, and it is easy to forget to prepare for hurricane season. Do it now while the weather is nice and the sky is blue and friendly.

Make sure your homes wiring is working safely and properly. Inspect your outdoor electrical equipment. Look in to getting a home generator installed. Take care of any electrical maintenance or repair you need done.