PRECO Shares Electrical Safety Tips for Flooded Homes

Posted: September 11, 2017 at 7:00 am

Flooding can cause serious problems for days or even weeks after a storm has passed. Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO) provides the following safety tips for reestablishing electric service after floodwaters have receded. If you have any doubts about your home electrical system or feel you don’t have sufficient knowledge of electrical wiring and appliances, call a professional, licensed electrician.

Before Resetting Circuit Breakers

When approaching your home, watch for downed wires. If you see any, do not proceed—they may be energized. Report downed wires to PRECO immediately at 1-800-282-3824 or call 9-1-1.

Upon reentering your home, disconnect all electrical appliances. Use caution and do not attempt to reset breakers or replace fuses until all water has receded. Some circuits above the flood level may still be energized. Do not stand in water when operating switches, plugging in or unplugging appliances, resetting breakers or replacing fuses.

If breakers will not reset and continue to trip, call a professional electrician. This condition might indicate a short-circuit in your electrical system.

After Resetting Circuit Breakers

Before plugging in electrical appliances into wall sockets, be sure the appliances have been checked for water damage and all cords and other parts are dry.

If, after plugging in an appliance, the breakers trip (or fuse blows) or you see smoke or smell a burning odor, disconnect the appliance immediately and have it checked by a qualified appliances service center.

To report an outage, use PRECO’s SmartHub mobile app, text OUT to 8002823824 (prior registration required) or call 800-282-3824. For updates, find us on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.preco.coop.

Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO), a Touchstone Energy® distribution electric cooperative headquartered in Wauchula, Florida, provides electric service and energy solutions to more than 40,000 member/consumers in 10 central Florida counties: Brevard, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Manatee, Osceola, Polk and Sarasota. Through almost 4,000 miles of power lines, the electric cooperative has been in business since 1940 as a member-owned, not-for-profit organization.