Are You Ready for Storm Season?
In recent years, the United States has experienced a concerning increase in the frequency and intensity of severe weather events. Climate scientists and meteorologists have noted a rise in dramatic weather and climate occurrences, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, and winter storms.
Nature’s unpredictability can cause significant disruptions to our daily lives. More often, extreme weather is causing power outages, leaving homes and businesses without electricity and necessary services. This reality underscores the importance of storm preparation.
Storm Preparedness Essentials
The impact of severe weather on businesses and families can be profound. Power outages caused by storms can last for hours, days, or even weeks, disrupting daily routines, business operations, and communication networks.
Emergency preparedness is paramount for businesses and families to ensure safety and minimize the impact of damaging storms. Following these essential tips can enhance your readiness and resilience, keeping your loved ones and properties secure during challenging times.
Have an Emergency Plan
A comprehensive emergency plan is essential for extreme weather events, whether you own a business or want to protect your home and family. It creates a roadmap that details potential risks you might face, establishes evacuation steps, and provides essential communication protocols to follow if a disaster strikes.
Backup Power Solutions
Investing in reliable backup power solutions is crucial for businesses and families to maintain functionality during power outages. City Electric Supply (CES) offers the GENERAC GP Series Portable Generator, a dependable backup power source, ensuring critical appliances and equipment stay operational when the main power grid fails.
As one of the most reliable brands of generators in the U.S., you will always have power in emergencies. Consider investing in an additional GENERAC generator power cord to ensure access wherever you need it.
Surge Protection for Electronics
Due to power surges, sensitive electronics and appliances are most vulnerable during storms. Safeguarding these devices is vital, from business equipment to home appliances, and DITEK Surge Protectors are designed explicitly for this purpose.
Always include surge protection at critical points in your electrical system to prevent surges from damaging valuable electronics and appliances. This will save you hundreds, if not thousands, on costly replacements and downtime.
Maintain Emergency Supplies
Preparing emergency kits with essential supplies is fundamental for both businesses and families. Stock up on non-perishable food, water, and first aid supplies for extended power outages or isolation. All it takes is high wind speeds to knock out electricity and leave you in the dark.
Ensure you have plenty of portable lighting available, such as the Klein Tools Rechargeable Auto-Off Headlamps and the Milwaukee Tool LED Flood Light, as part of your emergency supplies. This equipment provides reliable hands-free lighting, enabling you to move safely and efficiently during dark conditions.
Communication and Alert Systems
Establishing reliable communication channels within your organization or family ensures effective correspondence during storms or natural events. Communicate ahead of time any emergency procedures your family or team members should follow when these events occur. This step keeps everyone on the same page and able to make quick decisions during potentially unsafe storm conditions.
Secure Your Property
Securing your property against potential storm damage is essential for protection. Installing storm shutters or plywood over doors and windows can prevent damage caused by high winds and flying debris. Regularly trimming trees and removing loose objects from your yard reduces potential hazards and minimizes the risk of property damage.
Stay Informed
Staying informed about weather conditions is vital for making critical decisions during severe events. Signing up for local emergency warnings and regularly monitoring weather updates can help you stay ahead of any rapidly changing situation. This step should include downloading a weather app to track alerts while out and about or investing in a weather radio with a supply of batteries.
Practice Emergency Drills
Like fire drills, regularly practicing storm drills are just as important to ensure you and your team know their roles and responsibilities during severe weather events. This step saves lives and improves follow-through by family members or employees during emergencies.
Prepare for Clean Up
No matter if you weather a small wind storm or a tropical cyclone, the damage left behind can be challenging without the right tools and supplies. While contractor bags, rakes, and chainsaws are helpful, remember to include safety equipment. City Electrical Supply offers a wide range of essential gear for post-storm clean-up, including Milwaukee Tool Comfort Grip gloves and 3M Secure Fit Safety Glasses.
Stay Prepared with City Electric Supply
As severe weather events become more frequent and intense, families and businesses must prioritize storm preparedness. By understanding the risks associated with your local weather and investing in the right products, you can stay ahead of natural storms and protect what matters most.