Severe weather can occur in our part of South-Central Texas, bringing challenges like high winds, heavy rain, flooding, and lightning. These conditions can put your home’s electrical system at risk. From power outages to electrical surges and potential hazards caused by flooding, staying prepared and informed is crucial.
Our team is here to provide helpful tips to protect your home and loved ones. Whether it’s safeguarding your electrical system or knowing what to do during a power outage, these essential safety measures will give you peace of mind when storms strike.
1. Put Together an Emergency Kit
Severe storms can move through Texas during the spring and summer, but they can occur at any time during the year. Keeping an eye on weather reports will usually let you know when a storm is headed in your direction, but you should also understand that severe weather can happen without warning. This means that you should always be prepared.
Keep an emergency kit on hand in your home containing essentials such as bottled water, battery-operated flashlights and radios, spare batteries, and a few sets of warm clothes in case you lose power and heat during the winter. Other essentials to consider include spare cash, a list of emergency phone numbers, and nonperishable food. Keep your emergency kit somewhere that is easily accessible, and check it occasionally to make sure that everything in it is still in good condition.
2. Prepare Your Electrical System
Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in your home to lower the risk of electrocution during a lightning storm. GFCIs will cut off power to a circuit when they detect dangerous electrical situations, such as a power surge from a lightning strike or if an outlet is exposed to water. They are often installed in kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces where outlets and electronics might be exposed to water, and they are especially useful when flooding is a possibility.
Surge protectors and whole-home surge protection are also critical for safeguarding appliances and electronics from power surges. Whole-home surge protection systems can be installed by a licensed electrician to protect your entire home from damaging electrical spikes caused by lightning or power interruptions.
3. Install a Whole-Home Generator
When storms cause extended power outages, a whole-home generator can keep your home powered and safe. Unlike portable generators, which can pose risks if not used properly, a whole-home generator is permanently installed and provides reliable backup power for all your critical systems. Our team installs high-quality whole-home generators that keep you prepared for any emergency.
4. Add Backup Power with Battery Storage
Battery storage systems like the Enphase IQ and Tesla Powerwall provide an excellent solution for backup power during outages. These systems store energy from the grid or your solar panels to use when you need it most. Whether it’s a blackout or just a need for additional energy independence, battery storage systems ensure your home’s power is consistent and reliable.
5. Schedule Routine Electrical Inspections
One of the best ways to stay prepared for severe weather is by scheduling regular electrical inspections. Our professional electricians can identify potential issues, ensure your wiring is up to code, and make necessary upgrades before problems arise.
6. Turn Off Lights and Appliances if You Lose Power
If your power goes out during a storm, turn off all your major appliances, electronics, and most of your lights. Having too many devices and lights on when the power comes back could overload your circuits. Keep one light on in an obvious location so that you’ll know when the power is restored.
7. Be Careful of Downed Power Lines
Be cautious around downed power lines during or after a storm. Regardless of how they look, assume that all power lines are active and keep your distance. If you encounter a downed power line while driving, stay in your vehicle and call the electric utility company if you can.
8. Avoid Flooded Basements
If your basement floods during a storm, don’t step into any standing water. Electronics and appliances in the basement could give you an electric shock if they are exposed to water. Also, avoid using appliances if you are wet or standing in water, and don’t use wet devices.
Call GVEC Electrician Services When You Need Assistance
Severe Texas weather can cause many problems with your home’s electrical system, so don’t hesitate to call GVEC Electrician Services if you lose power or if your wiring is damaged. We are an electrical company serving South Central Texas, and we’ll be happy to inspect your home’s wiring, complete upgrades, or make any repairs before or after a severe storm.
From installing whole-home generators and battery backup systems to providing electrical inspections and whole-home surge protection, our licensed electricians provide services to help you weather any storm.
Contact GVEC Electrician Services in Gonzales, Seguin, and Schertz today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.
