Power outages are an inconvenience for most people. Typically, you would call someone to help you get your power back on or troubleshoot it yourself. However, caring for small children or pets during an outage makes it especially difficult to adjust your circuit breakers and keep them calm.
When you understand why power outages occur, you’ll have an easier time finding a quick and efficient solution. Here are three causes for power outages and how to remedy them.
Oftentimes, your power goes out during a thunderstorm. Thunder usually comes with lightning bolts, which can strike the power lines and shut down the electricity flow to you and the surrounding homes.
When this occurs, the safest thing for you to do is wait. Trying to fix a damaged power line is extremely dangerous, especially while the storm is going on. You can keep an emergency kit with candles, flashlights, and lanterns to use until your power comes back on. If you have small children, you can also include an activity that distracts them while the lights are off.
Sometimes, small rodents will chew through power cords, leading to an outage. If you live in an area with lots of squirrel activity, it may be in your best interest to be proactive and speak to your utility company about installing squirrel guards. Squirrel guards prohibit them from climbing onto your power lines.
You can also keep animals from your power lines by trimming branches. If they can’t reach your power lines, they can’t chew through them.
If you frequently have power outages, take a look at how many appliances you have going at once. Every appliance, whether you’re using it or not, uses power while it’s plugged in. To avoid outages, consider unplugging electronics when you’re not using them. Make sure that you have quality circuit breakers installed if your electrical system is overloaded. Circuit breakers can help prevent your appliances from becoming fire hazards if there is ever an electrical problem.
Appliances like your refrigerator and freezer should always remain plugged in for food safety reasons. Televisions, laptops, and chargers can all be unplugged when you’re finished using them or before you leave your home.
In some cases, power outages are out of your control. Finding ways to cope until your utility company restores your power will temporarily provide relief. In other cases, like using too much power or animals chewing through your utility equipment, try your best to be proactive. By unplugging your unused appliances and having your utility company install barriers, you’ll have fewer outages as well as cut future costs.
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