Are you typhoon-ready? Electricity safety tips amid the rainy season

With more typhoons forecast to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), being prepared for possible hazards is the key to ensuring one’s safety.

How can you be typhoon-ready? Here are some electricity safety tips from power firm Meralco to prevent related incidents amid the rainy season: 

Before a typhoon:

• Ensure sufficient fuel supply and readiness of generators in case of power interruptions and voltage disturbances.
• Check and secure electrical wires and breakers, and other electrical facilities.
• Make sure all breakers are properly marked to avoid turning the wrong circuit on or off.
• Secure outdoor objects such as billboards, tarpaulins/signages and scaffoldings that may hit power lines.
• Have a dedicated maintenance personnel or Licensed Electrical Practitioners ready to respond to emergencies.
• Relocate electrical equipment and appliances to higher locations if your area is prone to flooding.

During a typhoon:

• Ensure that all electrical equipment is unplugged in cases of flooding.
• Immediately report electrical hazards in your area to Meralco.

After a typhoon:

• Have your equipment checked by Licensed Electrical Practitioners in case you suspect water seepage in your electrical system, or if you have experienced any form of power interruptions.
• Do not touch the circuit breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
• Stay away from fallen or damaged power lines; leave those to our Meralco line crew.

—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News