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Hurricane Season Preparedness: A Houston Electrician's Guide for Homeowners

As a resident of Houston, Texas, you're no stranger to the powerful forces of nature that come with hurricane season. Every year, from June 1st to November 30th, the Gulf Coast is vulnerable to tropical storms and hurricanes that can wreak havoc on homes and communities.

As an electrician serving this area, I understand the importance of being prepared for these potential disasters, especially when it comes to safeguarding your home's electrical system. In this guide, I'll provide you with valuable tips and insights on how to prepare your home for hurricane season from an electrician's perspective.


  1. Inspect and Maintain Your Electrical System: Before hurricane season begins, it's crucial to have a professional electrician inspect your home's electrical system. This includes checking for any damaged wiring, loose connections, or outdated components that could pose a risk during a storm. Ensure that your electrical panel is up to code and equipped with surge protection devices to safeguard against power surges caused by lightning strikes or utility disruptions.

  2. Install Hurricane-Resistant Fixtures: Consider upgrading to hurricane-resistant light fixtures, outlets, and switches that are designed to withstand high winds and flying debris. These fixtures are specially designed to minimize the risk of electrical hazards during severe weather events and can provide added protection for your home and family.

  3. Secure Outdoor Electrical Equipment: Take the time to secure outdoor electrical equipment, such as air conditioning units, generators, and electrical meters. Anchor these items securely to the ground or a sturdy structure to prevent them from becoming projectiles in high winds. Trim any overhanging tree branches that could potentially damage power lines or outdoor electrical equipment during a storm.

  4. Invest in a Backup Power Source: Consider investing in a backup power source, such as a standby generator or portable generator, to keep essential appliances and devices running during power outages. Make sure to follow proper installation and safety guidelines when using generators to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or electrical hazards.

  5. Create an Emergency Preparedness Plan: Develop an emergency preparedness plan that includes procedures for safely shutting off your home's electrical system in the event of flooding or other emergencies. Identify the location of your electrical panel and familiarize yourself with how to turn off the main circuit breaker if necessary. Additionally, stock up on essential supplies, such as flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food items, to sustain your family during extended power outages.

  6. Stay Informed and Evacuate if Necessary: Stay informed about weather forecasts and evacuation orders issued by local authorities during hurricane season. If evacuation is recommended or required, follow the instructions provided by emergency management officials and prioritize your family's safety above all else.


Flooding is a serious and often unpredictable hazard during hurricane season. To protect yourself and your family, it’s crucial to stay informed by monitoring weather updates and alerts from local authorities via a battery-powered radio or weather app. If an evacuation order is issued, leave immediately to avoid rising floodwaters, planning your route in advance.

Avoid floodwaters at all costs—walking, swimming, or driving through them can be extremely dangerous due to hidden dangers like downed power lines, sharp debris, and pollutants. Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, important documents, first aid supplies, flashlights, and batteries. If evacuation isn't possible, move to the highest level of your home, such as the attic or roof, and be ready to signal for help with a white sheet or reflective object.


Staying connected is vital; keep your mobile phone charged and have a backup power source to maintain communication, informing family and friends of your status. Wear protective clothing like waterproof boots, gloves, and a life jacket if you must be near floodwaters to guard against contaminants and injuries. Secure your home by boarding up windows, placing sandbags to divert water, and moving valuables to higher ground if time permits. Avoid contaminated water, as floodwater can contain harmful bacteria and chemicals, and refrain from drinking tap water until it's deemed safe. After the floodwaters recede, follow local guidelines for returning home, being cautious of potential hazards such as structural damage, gas leaks, and contaminated water. Have a professional inspect your home for safety before re-entering to ensure a secure environment.

 

Why a surge protectors important?


Surge protectors play a crucial role in safeguarding electronic devices and appliances from damage caused by sudden voltage spikes, also known as power surges. Here are several reasons why surge protectors are important:


Protection Against Power Surges: Power surges can occur due to various reasons, including lightning strikes, utility grid switching, or electrical equipment malfunctions. These surges can send excessive voltage through electrical lines, potentially damaging or destroying connected devices. Surge protectors detect these voltage spikes and divert the excess energy away from your devices, preventing costly damage.

Extended Lifespan of Electronics: Electronic devices such as computers, TVs, gaming consoles, and kitchen appliances are susceptible to damage from power surges. By using surge protectors, you provide a layer of defense against voltage fluctuations, thereby extending the lifespan of your valuable electronics. This helps avoid premature failures and reduces the need for frequent replacements. Insurance Policy: Some surge protectors come with connected equipment warranties or insurance policies that provide financial reimbursement for damaged devices, our preferred device comes with a $75k Insurance policy and a 5 year warranty. These warranties offer an additional layer of protection and demonstrate the manufacturer's confidence in the surge protector's effectiveness.



 
In case you are an amazon enthusiast, we put together a starter kit to help you secure backup power in an affordable manner.
This list includes a couple of different size options for you to choose your portable generator, if you are unsure of the size generator you would need to carry your essentials then give us a call and we will be happy to help you figure that out.

Once you have purchased your equipment, be sure to call a licensed electrician in Houston like us to help you complete the installation of your Portable generator quick connect professionally.


 

If you ever need an electrician to help you deal with weather damage, Unity Services is the team of electricians you can trust to keep your home safe and to give you peace of mind.


We are always one call (or click) away

713-999-1890

licensed electrician in 77429, licensed electrician in 77433

Unity Services has the best team of Licensed Electricians, who carry over 100 years of combined residential and commercial electrical experience. We are always ready to serve you with knowledge and professionalism at your home or business.


Why Choose Unity? 

We are proud to be a family-owned small local business that strives to provide our community with the most efficient and transparent solutions. We pride ourselves on our commitment to customer satisfaction. We believe that communication, transparency, and quality workmanship are the keys to building lasting relationships with our clients.


 

About the author



 

This post is not sponsored, we just love amazon(too much), however disclosure: The links above are affiliate links, meaning we will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

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