How to Prepare Your House Electric System for a Long Quarantine Season

Sure, you think you are fully stocked up with everything you need to deal with this deadly Coronavirus threat.

Some call it the Covid-19.

Yes, you have all the food and drinking water, enough to last you during the self-quarantine season that is imposed on you in these extraordinary times.

You have all the medicine that the experts recommend to deal with these emergencies. You know you have little option but to remain indoors lest you contract the Coronavirus.

Perhaps this quarantine might last long.

Who knows?

Power

You don’t really know how long the quarantine will last since the news reports on radio, the television and newspapers all indicate that things could be getting worse.

But, alas!

There’s something crucial that you had previously not given much thought to. Indeed, it is something vital.

Power!

Electricity!

What if the power goes off indefinitely? What if there’s a long-lasting power outage?

What will now happen?

How can you reinforce your house electrical system in preparation for a long quarantine?

Get Yourself Prepared for Possible Power Outages

There are a few things to do to protect yourself from possible power outages.

For instance, you can use the following checklist to deal with such a challenge before, during and after a raging hurricane.

Before the hurricane starts, teach all your family members when and how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water supplies.

Listen to your battery-operated radio and television for the latest progress reports on the hurricane situation.

  • Check your emergency supplies.
  • Fuel your car.
  • Secure all the buildings boarding up and closing all the windows.
  • Remove any outside antennas.
  • Turn your freezer and refrigerator to lower settings. Open these only when it is absolutely necessary before closing them quickly.
  • Avoid the use of elevators.
  • Keep a ready supply of extra batteries and flashlights handy.
  • Avoid using open flames, including kerosene lamps and candles as a source of light.

In case the power is lost, turn off all your major appliances.

This will help to reduce the power “surge” when the electricity supply is restored.

Make sure to secure your home by turning off the electricity and unplugging any appliances and the main water valve.

Tracing Reasons for Power Outages & Prevention Measures

Often, the cause of a temporary loss of power may be traced to factors like an overloaded circuit or circuit breaker right there in your home.

You can do a few things to prevent this from happening.

For instance, you should take the initiative to inspect the circuits and fuses in your home regularly.

You should replace any faulty fuses regularly.

Alternatively, you should make sure that a spare is kept ready so you may swap it in whenever a fuse blows.

Check the Wiring System

Take an interest in how your home wiring system is designed.

Find out about the power outlets connected to the home circuit. Try not to overload the circuit by plugging in too many devices at the same time.

Check any trees that surround the house, and that may be in danger of falling onto the power lines.

Make sure to inspect your property several times during the winter months.

Route out any trees that are weak or rotten or that seem to lean too far or that have dead hanging branches.

Before the onset of an unfavourable weather season, prune any dead branches and remove dead trees that could fall over the power lines and destroy them. This could happen when the trees are loaded with snow or ice.

Conserve Your Power

Make sure you use only the amount of power that you need.

Do so only when you need this power.

Moreover, you should unplug all appliances and electronics besides shutting off lights whenever they are not in use.

Yes, try to conserve your power.

There are other benefits in doing this: You will be preventing an overload of the power grid. In the same manner, ensure to use fans and the air conditioning system only when it is hot. Do not keep these running throughout the summer.

One of the most common causes of blackouts and brownouts in most areas is bad weather. This may include high wind storms, ice, hail and heavy snow.

All these can deal a blow to your power lines by bringing them down.

Special Note:

The only effective way to prevent a power loss in your home during a storm is to get prepared with a ready home or portable generator or similar forms of non-electric power.

Final Thoughts

It is obvious that regardless of the steps that you take to prevent possible power loss, you cannot avoid this 100 per cent.

No.

Instead, it is a fact of life that we will always have to live with the effects of sudden power outages and blackouts.

This is our lot as the human family.

No matter how vigilant we are, these are things that must and will always happen.

In some cases, you can neither predict nor prevent it. Yes, you may not be aware when a power outage will happen. Often, it happens due to factors that are way beyond our control.

Regardless of these facts, take steps to deal with this possibility.

This is especially pertinent at this time of the Coronavirus threat that is taking the world by storm.

Insulate Yourself

Thousands of people are currently housebound on a voluntary or government-directed quarantine measure as a way to curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

Take steps to keep yourself from the effects of a possible power outage or power blackout during this time.

After all, who knows how long the Coronavirus threat will continue shaking the world?

Do not take chances of your well-being and that of your family.

Get the most suitable portable generator to insulate yourself from a sudden loss of power.

Alexey P. , Qualified Electrician and Website Founder
Alexey P. , Qualified Electrician and Website Founder

My name is Alexey P. I was born in Poland but later moved to the USA in 1998. As a well-qualified and fairly experienced electrician, I love working with DIY projects. As a result of my professional training in the field of electrical engineering, I am well versed with the key elements of the trade. I am generally knowledgeable with all inspecting codes and important regulations governing electrical components and repair. I presently live in Dover, Delaware, USA. Want to know a little about my life outside work? It is no wonder. If you encounter any challenges with your portable generator while on that camping expedition, you can count on me to help deal with that decisively. I love life. I love people. And yes, I love generators, of course!

1 Comment
  1. Since power outage is unavoidable, I highly suggest purchasing a whole-house generator than a portable generator. Whole house generators can supply you with enough energy for several hours, especially for your heating system. They are the best bet of our clients because they are cost-effective and are able to supply power to parts of your house.

Leave a reply

The DIY Experts Network
Logo
Shopping cart