Mister Sparky Helps Locals 'Surge' Through Summer Storms

Tag : Voltage Protectors
According to statistics from the Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA), U.S. citizens spent over $500 million last year ondamage caused from floods. This amount may be alarming to some, butfloods usually occur during heavy thunderstorms, hurricanes andother harsh weather during the summer months. Although naturaldisasters can't be avoided, Mister Sparky America's On-TimeElectrician is showing residents how they can protect their homesfrom severe damage during the upcoming storm season.

"The most important thing residents can do to prevent power surges,and other types of weather-related damage to their home, is to stayinformed and prepared on the proper precautions. Not adhering tocertain guidelines may cause people to spend hundreds of dollars indamage expenses," said Tab Hunter, president of FranchiseOperations, Clockwork Home Services, franchisor of Mister SparkyAmerica's On-Time Electrician.

A power surge could be caused by a tree limb falling on a powerline, lightning striking utility equipment, or even a small animaltrying to escape from the weather by getting into a transformer,Hunter said. Therefore, analyzing the exterior of your property anddoing things like trimming back branches from trees hanging overyour home and checking for other objects that may become airborneduring high winds are good ways to prevent potential problems thatcould occur during a storm.

Mister Sparky offers advice to help residents prevent electricalsurge damage:

-- Invest in an uninterruptible power supply and high-quality powerstrips/surge protectors to protect your computer equipment.

-- Have a professional install whole house surge protection thatprotects against dangerous power spikes, and allows electriccurrent to flow through them. Whole house surge protectors divertexcess voltage to the ground wire.

-- Ensure surge protection devices are Underwriters Laboratories(UL) rated, a trusted source for product compliance. Companiesindicate this with "UL" on its packaging.

-- If you don't have any protection from surges, unplug computersand other electrical devices during thunderstorms with lightning.

-- Make sure to have a professional electrician install in-linetelephone wire surge suppressors to guard against telephone systemdamage.

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