When the power goes out, there are two important steps to take:
(1) Turn off lights around your home, and
(2) Unplug sensitive electronics like TVs, computers, and game consoles.
Most damage doesn’t happen during the outage itself—it happens when power is restored and brief voltage spikes occur.
Turning lights off prevents them from coming on unexpectedly if electricity returns while you’re away or asleep. Unplugging sensitive electronics removes the risk of damage from sudden power surges.
Electronics most vulnerable to voltage spikes include:
- TVs
- Computers and laptops
- Modems and routers
- Game consoles
- Smart home hubs
These small precautions during an outage can prevent problems later.