Are You Prepared For Severe Weather?
One of the most visible consequences of a warming world is an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events. Tornadoes, floods, hurricanes and more – severe weather is increasing around the globe. Are you ready if a threatening storm hits your home? Are you prepared for severe weather?
Storm frequency and intensity is growing, which means it’s important for homeowners to take a proactive approach to severe weather preparedness. Having the right equipment and gear on hand and ready to go means your family can stay as safe and as comfortable as possible.
Power Outages and Severe Weather
Power to your home may be intermittent and unreliable during bad weather. In worst cases, entire power grids can go out for days or weeks at a time. It’s very important to prepare by having flashlights ready, stocking up on batteries and properly maintaining a generator to power necessities in a home.
If you are without electricity, a portable generator can help power critical household equipment. For example, Honda offers a model with a fuel-efficient engine and a digital ignition for easy startup. The control panel features 10 outlets and a 12-volt DC outlet, so you can power things like a well pump, a refrigerator and freezer, lights and electronics like TVs and cell phones to stay connected to emergency information.
When selecting a generator, it’s important to know the right size for your needs, which is based on the rated wattage of what you want to power – as not all generators have the same power draw. To do this, add up the wattage of tools, appliances and motors you will want to run at the same time, then select a generator with the running wattage rating to match or exceed the total load. Items with electric motors require additional surge wattage at startup that can double or triple the normal wattage requirement – so look at the surge watts required.
Having a generator is only half the battle during severe weather. It is just as important to use the equipment safely and maintain it properly by following generator safety and maintenance tips.
See Our Severe Weather Tips Below:
1) Store units properly: When not in use, keep your generator clean and covered in a safe, accessible location.
2) Perform maintenance: Being prepared is key, and a critical component of that is making sure your gear is ready in advance of serious weather.
To that end, test the generator monthly to ensure it’s working properly. Just like any other engine, a generator requires maintenance, so keep up with the manufacturer’s recommended schedule for things like oil changes and spark plugs. Find a store near you that offers parts, service and repair expertise to ensure that generators, water pumps and other equipment are tuned up and ready.
3) Use fresh gas: There is approximately a 90-day shelf life on fuel, especially in smaller quantities like what would be in the gas tank of a small engine or a small gas can. Never use bad gas in a generator or you risk damage to the engine.
4) Run units wisely: Place generators outdoors away from your home, but shielded from rain as much as possible. Never run generators inside or
covered tightly because this can clog spark arrestors and filters resulting in a fire hazard. Additionally, not ventilating
exhaust increases risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
5) Keep it clean and level: Always run the generator on level surfaces free from debris or other items. Non-level or vibrating surfaces may result in problems including poor engine lubrication, which can cause overheating.
6) Don’t overdraw power: The size of your generator will dictate how many things it can power. Keep in mind, items with heating elements or motors often need double their rated wattage to start up, which is called surge.
Unfortunately, severe weather is an unpredictable fact of life for property owners. Having a generator can be life changing during extreme weather, but dealing with the aftermath of even a small flood can still be overwhelming. Hopefully you never have to go through flooding or storm damage to your home. But if you do, it is important to minimize the damage immediately by calling a qualified cleaning and restoration company to get your home back in shape fast. Contact Clean Pro Cleaning & Restoration today if you have any questions, need any help or to schedule your next appointment.
