Precautions to keep your home and personal belongings safe when the power goes out.
While you might consider a power outage a mere inconvenience, they actually have the potential to be quite dangerous. Luckily, there are steps you can take around your home to keep it safe. Here are some of the precautions you should take to protect your home and possessions if the power goes out.
Secure Your Home
If you have a home security system installed, your system will not work during a power outage. This means you will have to be hyper-vigilant in securing your home. Before you leave your home or retire for the night, make sure all your windows, doors, and other external access points (doggy doors, garage, etc.) are closed and securely locked. This will deter home intruders even in the absence of your home security system.
Unplug Appliances and Electronics
When the power goes out, the power grid can be a little unpredictable. This can mean that your home is hit with sudden power surges. If your appliances and electronics are plugged in, this sudden influx of electricity can actually cause them damage. To protect your appliances and electronics, be sure to unplug them as soon as a power outage hits. Only plug them back in when the power returns and is stable.
Protect Your Pipes
When the power goes out, you will lose the ability to heat your home. This will leave the pipes in your home susceptible to freezing over and bursting. This is why you should go around your home and make sure to leave all your faucets dripping slightly. This will keep the water in your pipes circulating, which will reduce the chances of it freezing and causing your pipes to burst.
These are some of the precautions you should take around your home to protect it and your personal possessions during a power outage. Want another way to stay safe? Make sure you have the proper homeowners insurance protection in place. For assistance with all your home’s coverage needs, contact the experts at Duane Weber Insurance, Inc. in Kent, Washington today.