Your home is always susceptible to power outages, especially when it severe weather occurs. Preparedness is always your best defense. Sirius Power has tips to help keep you, your family and your home safe and secure during the next power outage or weather emergency.
Develop a family emergency plan that includes important phone numbers (doctors, family members, etc.), an evacuation route and an agreed-on meeting place in case you lose communication with loved ones.
Create a kit by filling a duffle bag or lidded container with three days’ worth of food and water. Include in your kit a flashlight (preferably an LED flashlight) , a battery-powered radio, a battery-powered clock, extra batteries, a first aid kit, cash, medications and a CD or USB drive containing important documents. Feel free to download our Disaster Supply Checklist to help you create your kit.
Turn off major appliances such as your water heater, oven and air conditioning units. Unplug other appliances such as TVs, stereos, microwaves and computers. This will prevent damage to appliances and possible overloads to the system when power is restored. But leave one light on so you can see when power is restored.
Familiarize yourself with your main electrical panel. You may have to turn off the main breaker or reset circuit breakers after an outage.
Keep away from fallen wires, flooded areas and storm debris. Treat all downed wires and anything touching them as though they have electricity running through them.
Consider installing a Sirius Power standby generator to protect your home. A standby generator is permanently installed outside the home and typically runs on natural gas or propane. Standby generators turn on automatically when the power shuts off, even if you’re away from home. A transfer switch monitors utility power and transfers the electrical load to the generator if power is lost. A Sirius Power generator can power everything in your home, including lights, heating/cooling systems, appliances, sump pumps, security systems and more.
If you use a portable generator, be very careful. Be sure to use properly rated extension cords (electrical load and length). Make sure the generator is properly vented to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning; don’t place it in your home or an enclosed space like a garage. Don’t connect it directly to your home’s electrical system without a properly installed safety interlock as electricity could flow backward into the power lines and endanger lives. Without an installed safety interlock, plug appliances directly into the portable generator.
Family Emergency Plan (PDF)
Disaster Supply Checklist (PDF)
Find more information
Get your home ready for hurricane season
http://www.GreatHurricaneBlowout.org/
Be prepared for severe weather
http://www.ready.gov/severe-weather
Get information to prepare for Public Safety Power Shutoff events
https://prepareforpowerdown.com
Should you need further information or help. do not hesitate to call Sirius Power Generation today at (337) 457-1818.