We can definitely all agree that storms have a habit of showing up at the worst possible time, and when they do, things can get messy fast. One minute you’re just trying to enjoy a quiet evening (which tends to be that calm before the storm), and the next, your lights are flickering, the sockets are buzzing, and your phone battery is suddenly your most precious possession.
There’s only so much you can do when it comes to protecting your home from stormy weather. Sure, you can get storm shutters for your windows, but it’s not like it’s going to fix the power issue that most people deal with during a bad storm.
Speaking of which, electrical issues during bad weather can get dangerous pretty fast. So if you don’t know what to do, and let’s be honest, most people are just kind of winging it, then, well, it might help to not do anything at all (or at least be incredibly cautious if you feel the absolute need to do something). Everyone panics when the power goes out; you have food in the fridge, there’s heating and cooling, and besides, who knows when the power will even come back on.
So, what can you do without making the situation a whole lot worse?
First, Don’t Go Poking Around in the Dark
When the lights go out, it’s tempting to play detective. You grab a torch, head for the fuse box, and start flipping switches like you’re trying to crack a code. But if there’s a storm going on outside, it’s worth slowing down.
Well, power problems during storms can be caused by all sorts of things that have nothing to do with your house. It might be a blown transformer down the road or a tree messing with power lines. Besides, getting too hands-on with your wiring when you don’t actually know what’s wrong could just make things worse.
So, if there’s a burning smell, weird noises, or anything that just feels off, back away. Some problems are better left to someone with the proper gear and a license.
Water and Electricity are Not Friends
This one feels obvious until you’re standing in a damp basement wondering if it’s okay to unplug the washing machine. When things get wet, stay clear of anything electrical. That includes outlets, appliances, and extension cords. Even if it looks fine on the outside, water damage can make things unpredictable. Best case, nothing happens. Worst case, you get a nasty shock.
So if you’ve got a leak, flooding, or anything that’s left your floors soggy, leave the area alone. No, really, during the time of a storm, you absolutely need to. Yeah, it’s far from ideal, but you absolutely have to. So, just let it dry out and have someone check it before plugging things back in.
Keep Devices Unplugged (Yes, Even the Wi-Fi)
It’s super tempting to keep everything running like normal when a storm rolls through, but that’s not always the smartest move. Maybe you didn’t know this, but power surges can do some serious damage to your electronics, and it’s usually the stuff you care about most that gets fried first.
If things start flickering or the storm sounds like it’s ramping up, unplug anything you’d be sad to lose. Seriously, this just can’t be stressed enough, and yeah, this includes laptops, TVs, chargers, the router, well, all of it. Sure, it’s annoying in the moment, sure. But it’s way better than replacing half your gear after one bad night of weather.
Don’t Assume the Power’s Just Going to Come Back On
Sometimes the lights cut out and come right back on. Other times, you’re left sitting in the dark, waiting, and wondering if you’re the only house on the block without power. Sure, it’s not ideal, it really is a situation that no one in their right mind wants to deal with in the first place.
Now, most people are super guilty of wanting to start flipping switches or pushing buttons to “fix it,” but that can actually make things worse if there’s a deeper issue going on. Again, so many people are guilty of this, but that whole “turning it off and on again” works for electronics, not necessarily for electricity itself. Power surges or exposed wiring during a storm are no joke, so once the storm ends (and yes it needs to end), you can call up an emergency electrician to take a look since they can safely check things out, figure out what’s going on, and get everything sorted without putting you or your home at risk.
Check On the Obvious, Safely
Once the storm dies down and everything feels a little less dramatic, you can check the basics. If it’s dry and safe, peek at your fuse box to see if anything tripped. Sometimes that’s all it is. Also, check if your neighbors are in the same boat. If their lights are on and yours aren’t, it might be time to make a call. If everyone’s out, it’s probably a bigger grid issue that’ll get sorted in time.
Keep Kids and Pets Clear of Risky Spots
It should be obvious to most people, but this one should still be mentioned. So, during a storm, curious kids and nosy pets have a knack for heading straight toward whatever’s sparking or dripping. It’s a good idea to keep everyone away from areas where there’s any chance of electrical issues, especially places with standing water or exposed cords.
Even something as simple as a fallen lamp or an extension lead near the door can turn risky if things get wet or knocked around (a nightmare situation no one wants either).
Get Ahead of it Before the Next One Hits
If this storm caught you off guard, you’re definitely not alone. Actually, it hits everyone off guard, even the most prepared of people tend to get hit off guard too. Besides, most people don’t think about their home’s wiring until something goes sideways.
So it can help to do a few things, like buy surge protectors, they’re worth the investment, especially for your big-ticket items like TVs and computers (or even just your fridge). Ideally, keep a few battery-powered lights or torches in easy-to-grab spots. And if your place has older wiring, it might be time for an inspection just to make sure everything’s up to speed.
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© Copyright 2025 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife
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