Living in Florida means facing sudden and severe storms that can put your home’s electrical system at serious risk. When stormy weather approaches, taking the right electrical safety precautions can be the difference between minor inconveniences and major hazards.
At Coharbor Electric, we provide expert electrical services across Southwest Florida to help protect your home and family before, during, and after storm season. In this guide, we’ll share essential electrical safety tips every homeowner should know to stay safe and prepared.
Four Power Outage Safety Tips for Southwest Florida Homeowners
Preparing your home’s electrical system for storm season is crucial to minimizing risks like electrical fires, shock hazards, and expensive equipment damage. By following proven safety measures, Fort Myers homeowners can protect their families and valuable electronics from the unpredictable and often severe weather that strikes the region.
Schedule an Electrical Inspection Before Storm Season
Before and during hurricane season, it’s vital to have your electrical system inspected by a licensed electrician with storm experience. Pre-season electrical inspections help identify outdated wiring, faulty connections, or overloaded circuits that may not withstand a severe Florida storm.
Prevention is key to ensuring your electrical system works when you need it. Addressing minor issues now prevents major hazards later.
Install Whole-Home Surge Protection
Power surges caused by lightning strikes or downed power lines can destroy expensive appliances, damage electrical panels, and pose serious fire risks to your property. A properly installed whole-home surge protector and lightning protection systems defend your home’s entire electrical system from sudden, dangerous spikes. Remember to unplug appliances during storms to protect against power surges that may bypass even the best protection systems.
Use Generators Safely
Portable and standby generators are popular in Fort Myers during extended power outages, but improper use can be dangerous or even fatal. Never run a generator indoors or in enclosed spaces where carbon monoxide can accumulate quickly. Proper electrical hazard awareness includes ensuring your generator is professionally installed, properly ventilated outdoors, and connected through a transfer switch to avoid back-feeding into the grid.
Book a Post-Storm Electrical Safety Check
Once a storm passes, your home may have experienced hidden electrical damage, even if everything looks perfectly fine on the surface. Always avoid downed power lines and report them immediately to authorities; never attempt to move or touch them under any circumstances. Saltwater intrusion, lightning strikes, or fallen debris can affect wiring, outlets, and panels throughout your property, requiring a professional assessment for safety.
Stay Storm-Ready With Coharbor Electric
Storm season in Southwest Florida isn’t something to take lightly, especially when it comes to your electrical system. Whether you’re preparing before the season starts or recovering after a major storm, Coharbor Electric is here to help with reliable inspections, upgrades, and safety solutions.
Contact us at (239) 362-2502 to schedule your electrical inspection or to learn more electrical safety tips today with Coharbor Electric in Southwest Florida.
