How to Protect Your Home From Winter Storms in Toronto

24 December, 2024 Hi-Lite Electric Inc.

When we think about wintertime in Toronto, we typically envision slushy roads, wet boots, and the never-ending task of shovelling our driveways. However, winter in the GTA means so much more than that, especially considering the icy winds coming directly from the lake to deal with.

With winter comes not only the cold but also powerful storms. In this blog, we will discuss all the precautions you can take to protect your home from them.

Power Surges

Before we get into all the ways you can safeguard your home, let’s briefly discuss power surges. It is always important to know what they are, why they occur, and the dangers of power surges in your home.

What is a power surge?

A power surge is when an unexpected spike in electrical power goes through all the wiring inside your house. When this occurs, it can damage appliances, electrical systems, and electronics.

Why do power surges happen?

Surges of power can occur due to many different factors, but in the winter, it’s usually for a few specific reasons. The first is when temperatures suddenly drop and ice forms, causing transformers to blow. Another reason is that branches fall onto power lines, which is caused by their being weighed down by ice.

How to Prepare for a Winter Storm

Have Candles on Standby

Due to a multitude of reasons, power outages typically happen more often during the winter. It’s always an excellent idea to ensure you always have candles and matches—or a lighter—in your house.

Alternatively, if you’re hesitant about using candles, you could invest in a battery-operated flashlight or lamp to illuminate your surroundings without the risk of a fire hazard.

Create an Emergency Kit

Emergency kits should be kept in your home at all times. Electricians in Toronto recommend filling them with batteries, flashlights, first aid items, a battery-powered radio, and fully charged portable chargers for electronics.

Take a Walk Outside

Yes, trudging through the snow is cold and unpleasant, but it is absolutely vital to do it as soon as you hear a storm is on its way—or, better yet, before the first snowfall. You’ll want to carefully inspect all cords, power lines, and posts to ensure they are tightly secured.

Be sure to also check the trees on and surrounding your property for any loose branches you can trim to prevent them from snapping off in heavy winds. If you notice wires or outlets barely hanging on by a thread, be sure to call on an electrician in Toronto to promptly fix the issue.

Consider Investing in Surge Protectors

Arguably, one of the best preventative measures you can take against the icy winter storms of Toronto is to look into surge protectors. Also known as surge suppressors, they are what protect all of your electronics in case of an electrical surge.

According to the type you choose, they offer different amounts of protection based on joules. Joules are units of how electricity is measured, and depending on the surge protector you purchase, it will protect everything from a specific amount of joules.

Here are the three main types of surge suppressors:

• Type 1: Point-of-use protection for wall outlets within your home.
• Type 2: Whole house protection between your home and the street power lines outside of it.
• Type 3: Whole house protection that runs between your breaker box and the meter.

Electricians in Toronto highly recommend investing in all three types to fully protect your home from power surges.

What to Do in Case of a Power Surge

Now, of course, nothing is foolproof, and power surges or other complications can still happen as a result of harsh winter storms, despite taking all the necessary precautions. Have no fear, though; our expert electricians in Toronto have compiled a helpful list of what to do in case of one.

Tip 1: Do Not Panic

When unexpected events occur, our first reaction can often be to panic. However, it’s important to stay calm and assess the situation rationally. Trust us, it doesn’t do anyone any good to start running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

Tip 2: Unplug Everything

As soon as you notice the power has gone out, go around your house and make sure absolutely everything is unplugged. This doesn’t just mean your phones and laptops; this also includes the fridge, washing machines, and other large appliances. If you don’t unplug them, you’re taking the risk of a power surge happening and the circuit tripping when the power eventually does come back on.

Tip 3: Stay Up to Date

Remember that battery-operated radio we mentioned was a good idea to keep in your emergency kit earlier? You’re definitely going to want to turn that on to stay informed about the storm, any possible alerts, and updates from authorities.

Tip 4: Stay Inside

If there’s one thing electricians in Toronto cannot stress enough, you absolutely should not go outside during a storm. High winds can increase the chances of trees and unsecured items blowing over and potentially causing injury to yourself or others.

Contact Hi-Lite Electric Inc. for an Electrician in Toronto

Although it’s a lot to keep in mind, we highly recommend you take all of the above precautionary steps for your own safety and that of your loved ones. Have a safety kit readily available, invest in surge suppressors, stay updated with the news, and, above all, remain calm. With all these tips, you’ll be well on your way to surviving any winter storm that blows your way.

For more information about how to protect your home from winter storms in Toronto, call Hi-Lite Electric Inc. at 416-800-5536 in Toronto, 289-236-1333 in York, and 289-236-1347 in Peel. You can also contact us online.