A Guide to Storm Season Safety: Protecting Your Home Against Electrical Hazards

As the storm season approaches, it’s essential to prepare for more than just heavy rain and strong winds. Electrical hazards during storms are a significant concern.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the intricacies of our storm season, the electrical dangers it poses, and practical steps from Astley Electrical to ensure your safety, whether indoors or outdoors.

Unravelling the Diverse Australian Storm Seasons

The Australian storm season is a meteorological spectacle characterised by diverse weather phenomena across the continent’s regions. This makes storm safety preparedness a region-specific endeavour.

Tropical North

In the northern regions of Queensland and Western Australia, the wet season is marked by scorching hot days, high humidity, and the anticipation of monsoonal rains. Cities like Darwin, Broome, Cairns, and the Whitsundays often witness heavy showers and tropical storms.

Tropical cyclones are also prevalent in the region. These torrential rains and destructive winds pose a significant threat and often damage homes and infrastructure.

Temperate South

In the southern parts of Australia, storm season comes with intense thunderstorms. Lightning, heavy rainfall, and hail are common in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, triggering flash flooding and power outages.

Coastal Areas

The coast faces a dual challenge during the wet season: storm surges during cyclones and the possibility of coastal flooding following severe weather events.

Types of Electrical Hazards in Storms

During stormy weather, electrical risks you may encounter include:

Lightning strikes: Lightning can directly strike homes, causing fires, damage electrical systems, or lead to power surges.
Power outages: Storms often result in power failures, disrupting daily life and necessitating backup power sources.
Flooded wiring: Water can infiltrate electrical systems, leading to short circuits and shocks.
Electrical fires: Faulty wiring or overloaded circuits may ignite fires during storms.
Downed power lines: High winds and falling debris can bring down power lines. Fallen power lines can be live, presenting a grave danger.
Generator misuse: Improper generator use can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrical accidents.

Click here to learn what to do during an electrical emergency.

Staying Safe at Home During Thunderstorms

The Bureau of Meteorology advises us to stay indoors during thunderstorms. However, being indoors doesn’t guarantee absolute safety. Check out these tips to stay safe in your home as the storm rages outside:

Stay away from windows: To avoid flying debris and shattered glass, steer clear of windows during storms.
Unplug appliances: Safeguard your electronics by unplugging them to prevent damage from power surges.
Avoid water contact: Stay away from water sources like sinks, bathtubs or flooded basements. Water and electricity don’t mix, so minimise contact to reduce the risk of electrical accidents.
Emergency readiness: Prepare an emergency kit with essentials like flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit for unexpected power outages.
Stay informed: Keep a weather radio or app handy to stay updated on storm developments.

Safety starts at home, and observing these tips can make all the difference.

Outdoor Safety Tips

Sometimes, you may need to brave the storm outdoors. Here’s how to stay safe if you’re outside:

Stay clear of power lines: Never approach downed power lines, as they may still carry an electric current. Report to authorities for immediate action.
Do not shelter under trees: Trees are a lightning magnet, so avoid seeking shelter beneath them.
Stay low: If caught in the open, crouch down to reduce exposure to lightning strikes. But do not lie flat on the ground.
Avoid water: Heavy rains can lead to flash floods. Avoid flooded areas and rapidly flowing water to prevent accidents. Also, steer clear of ponds, lakes, and other bodies of water, which conduct electricity from lightning strikes.

Weather the Storms with Astley Electrical

In the face of Australia’s unpredictable storm season, safeguarding your home and loved ones from electrical hazards should be a top priority. With over four decades of industry expertise and a commitment to customer service, trust our experienced electricians to keep your electrical systems secure during even the wildest storms.