How to Deal with Temporary Power Following a Cyclone
Whether you believe in global warming effects or not, it seems certain that tropical cyclone activity is increasing in the waters around Australia. If you happen to live in a coastal region, as the majority of people do, then you cannot afford to be blasé about the risk and have to be as prepared as possible in case one strikes close to you. Would you know what to do if the power went off for an extended period of time and would you be able to cope?
Expect to Be Disconnected
Unless you live very close to the beach, the biggest impact of a cyclone is likely to be wind and rain. A lot of the utility infrastructure is located above ground and when winds reach a certain level, poles can topple, wires can become disconnected and power will inevitably fail. If a significant cyclone were to hit in your region then you could expect power outages to last for up to a week or even more, and it can be very difficult to function if you're not prepared.
Early Action
The secret here is to be prepared and to keep your eye on the weather. Once you can see that your region is at risk then you should opt for generator hire without further delay. If you leave it any longer then you may find that a lot of people have the same idea and you might not be able to find any options.
Safety First
Once you have the unit, then you need to find somewhere safe to place it. Under no circumstances should you put it in an enclosed area as the generator will give off carbon dioxide fumes. These are odourless and could cause significant health problems for your family. It's best to put the generator under a carport outside so it is away from any wind or rain.
Don't Overdo It
With your new-found source of power, you may be tempted to plug everything in at once, so you can get back to normality. However, you should never overload a generator but only plug in what you really need and feel is appropriate. Make a note of the power requirement for each appliance and make sure that you don't overwhelm the generator as this could result in failure or a fire.
Refuelling
Finally, make sure that you always disconnect any appliances and switch off the generator before you refuel it. You should also let it cool down before you act, as if you spill any fuel onto a hot surface it can cause a fire.
Getting Ready
When cyclone season rolls around, make sure that you have the number of your generator hire company on speed dial so you are always prepared.
