Electrical Safety During Power Outages: What to Unplug

During a power outage, it is crucial to ensure the safety and longevity of your electronic devices and appliances. By unplugging sensitive electronics and major appliances, you can prevent damage caused by power surges upon restoration of power. Here's a comprehensive guide on what to unplug to safeguard your home and belongings.

Key Items to Unplug During a Power Outage

There are several items you should consider unplugging during a power outage to protect them from potential damage:

Sensitive Electronics

Computers and Televisions: These devices are susceptible to damage from power surges that can occur when the power resumes. Unplugging them can prevent irreversible damage. Gaming Consoles: Similar to computers and televisions, gaming consoles can also be affected by power surges. It is important to protect these by unplugging them as well.

Appliances

Refrigerators and Freezers: Leaving these plugged in can result in damage from power surges. Unplugging them will keep your food safe and your appliance in good condition. Microwaves, Dryer, Washer: Major appliances like these can also be damaged by power surges. Unplugging them may be necessary to prevent costly repairs.

Heating and Cooling Systems

Air Conditioners and Heaters: These systems can also be damaged by power surges if not unplugged. Ensuring they are off will prevent overloading them when power is restored.

Chargers

Phone and Device Chargers: Unplugging these can protect your devices from potential damage. Even though charger units are designed to handle some voltage fluctuations, it's best to unplug them to be on the safe side.

Surge Protectors

Surge Protectors: Even with surge protectors, it's wise to unplug them and your devices to avoid any issues when the power comes back. Surge protectors can fail over time and do not offer 100% protection.

Additional Precautions

If the outage is prolonged, you may also consider unplugging devices that are not immediately needed to conserve power and prevent overload.

Items to Consider Unplugging

Computer and peripherals Refrigerator and freezer TV, VCR, Satellite/Cable Boxes All electronics not connected to a commercial-grade surge protector

These items are particularly sensitive to surge voltages when the power is restored, which can result in damage or failure. While surge protectors are designed to mitigate these risks, it's important to unplug everything to ensure maximum protection.

Note that even if a surge protector remains intact, it does not guarantee 100% protection against all voltage spikes. Therefore, unplugging everything to be safe is the best practice.

Replugging After a Power Outage

When it comes to replugging everything after a power outage, here are some tips to follow:

Leave a Light On: Turn a light switch on to visually confirm when the power is back. This can help you avoid replugging everything unnecessarily or forgetting to plug something in. Wait Before Replugging: Wait for a few minutes after the power is restored to ensure the electricity is stable. This gives the system a chance to reset and prevents sudden voltage spikes from causing damage. Install a Whole House Surge Suppressor: If financially feasible, consider installing a whole-house surge suppressor to provide comprehensive protection against voltage spikes and power surges. This can be a more cost-effective solution than unplugging individual devices.

By following these precautions, you can help protect your home and belongings from potential damage during and after a power outage. Remember, the best approach is to err on the side of caution and unplug sensitive devices to ensure their longevity and functionality.