They’ll huff and they’ll puff – and they’ll blow your house down! We all know that hurricanes are not a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They are a wolf in wolf’s clothing! Each year an average of 6 hurricanes hit the U.S. leaving death, injury, and devastation to homes in their wake.

According to the National Ocean Service or NOAA, a hurricane is type of storm called a tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical water. Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, the eastern North Pacific Ocean, and, less frequently, the central North Pacific Ocean.

Hurricane season begins June 1 and lasts through November 30, and that means being especially vigilant regarding electrical safety during that time for those in hurricane zones. Here are some precautionary tips from Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) to help you prepare your home for tropical weather.

Charge your electronics. You never know when you’ll get to charge it again.
Unplug your electronics and move them to higher ground. Make sure sensitive electronic appliances such as TVs, VCRs, microwave ovens and computers are fully shut down. This will protect your appliances against power fluctuations that can occur when power is restored.
Turn off breakers to avoid power surges.
Invest in an emergency generator. But NEVER operate it inside your home. Contact your local Mister Sparky for options.
Always use GFCIs in areas where water and electricity many come into contact.
Never use electrical equipment that’s been exposed to water. Contact a professional electrician to assist you with getting your power up and running, safely and securely.
Turn off your heating and air conditioning systems as well as the electric range. Turn off and unplug the gas range as it also uses electricity for pilots / lighting, plus other features requiring like the clock and timer.

Stay tuned for more information on protecting your home from tropical storms! For more tips on hurricane and electrical safety practices, visit ESFI.org.

Also check out this guide for more safety tips from our sister brands.