If you’ve ever scrambled for flashlights or lit candles with your phone’s dying battery during a storm, you know that power outages can quickly go from inconvenient to chaotic. Whether it’s thunder shaking your windows or snow piling on your power lines, the message is clear: Mother Nature doesn’t care if your freezer is full or your Wi-Fi is on a Zoom call.
But guess what? Your local electrician does.
Electricians Idaho Falls see the aftermath of power outages all the time—fried appliances, damaged electrical control panels, and homes totally unprepared to be unplugged. So, we’ve rounded up the top things electricians recommend to help you storm-proof your home and keep the lights (and everything else) on—or at least make sure you’re safe and ready when they go out.
1. Get to Know Your Electrical Control Panel
You know that gray metal box in the basement, garage, or laundry room? That’s your electrical control panel, and during a storm, it’s your command center. If a circuit gets overloaded, that’s where you go to reset the breaker. But more importantly, you should know how to shut off the main breaker in case of an emergency like flooding, fire, or a sudden electrical surge.
Pro tip: Label each circuit clearly before a storm hits. This makes it easier to know what powers what—and prevents you from flipping the wrong one while in a panic with a flashlight clenched in your teeth.
2. Install a Whole-House Surge Protector
A lightning strike doesn’t have to hit your house directly to cause damage. Surges from nearby strikes or power grid fluctuations can travel through your electrical system and fry your electronics, appliances, and even your HVAC.
That’s why electricians recommend installing a whole-house surge protector. This device is wired into your control panel and acts like a security guard, blocking dangerous voltage spikes from reaching your valuable tech. It’s way more reliable than a cheap surge strip—and protects everything from your fridge to your 75” TV.
3. Invest in Emergency Lighting (Beyond Flashlights)
Yes, flashlights are helpful—but imagine something better: automated emergency lights that turn on the moment the power goes out. Many electricians can install small, battery-powered lights in hallways or staircases so you’re not stumbling around in the dark.
You can also buy plug-in emergency lights that double as nightlights and automatically kick on when the power cuts. Smart, right?
4. Backup Power Is a Game Changer
If you live in a storm-prone area, ask any electrician and they’ll say the same thing: Get a backup power source. Your options:
- Portable Generator – Affordable and easy to use, but make sure it’s never run indoors or in a garage.
- Standby Generator – More expensive but can power your whole home automatically during an outage. Electricians install these directly into your electrical system.
- Battery Backup Systems – Quiet, clean, and great for homes with solar panels. They’re gaining popularity fast.
Whatever you choose, your electrician can help determine the right size and type for your home’s needs—and ensure it’s installed safely and legally.
5. Seal the Deal: Protect Outdoor Wiring and Outlets
Outdoor outlets and wiring are vulnerable to storms. Water plus electricity? Not a combo you want. Electricians recommend using weatherproof outlet covers, sealing gaps around outdoor fixtures, and making sure your exterior wiring is properly grounded and protected.
It’s a small job with a big safety payoff.
6. Charge Ahead (Literally)
A storm is coming. What do you do? Charge. Everything.
Electricians also suggest keeping portable power banks or a solar-powered charger handy. And if you have kids (or adults who act like kids), make sure tablets and devices are topped up too—trust us, it helps morale when you’re waiting out the storm in the dark.
7. Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
The best time to prepare for a power outage is before you’re sitting in one. Many homeowners wait until the storm is overhead to think about generators, surge protection, or backup lighting. A quick consultation with a licensed electrician can help you spot vulnerabilities in your system and offer real solutions before the forecast turns ugly.
Stay Safe, Stay Powered
Storms may be unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. With a little planning and a few electrician-approved upgrades, you can turn your home into a fortress of calm while the winds howl outside.
So the next time the power blinks, you won’t be left scrambling—you’ll be the neighbor with the lights still on and the freezer still humming.