A must-do before a typhoon approaches! A complete checklist for water and electricity systems to protect your home’s last line of defense

Typhoons are frequent in Taiwan every summer and autumn. Strong winds and heavy rains not only bring the risk of flooding, but also directly test the water and electricity systems of every household. When a typhoon strikes, many people only focus on doors, windows and supplies, but ignore the protection of water and electricity systems. In fact, the most common disaster after a typhoon is often not flooding, but problems such as moisture in walls, power outages at sockets, burst water pipes, and damage to home appliances. This article summarizes the key points of water and electricity system inspections in the three stages before, during, and after the typhoon to help families in Shuangbei be fully prepared before the storm comes.

Before the typhoon comes: preventive inspection of water and electricity systems

After the typhoon warning is issued and before the storm actually comes, it is the prime time to conduct preventive inspections of the water and electricity system. The Taipei City Government Fire Department recommends that the public should seize the time before the storm approaches and implement the following key improvements:

Comprehensive dredging of the drainage system. Clean the drainage holes and surrounding drainage ditches on the balcony and roof of your home to avoid accumulation of water caused by obstruction by fallen leaves and debris. The first item in the community's typhoon prevention health inspection is to "comprehensively clear the drainage on the roof and balcony." Improper drainage is the biggest cause of flooding during typhoons, so don’t ignore this step.

Check the circuit and leakage protection device. Before a typhoon approaches, you should check whether the electrical wiring in your home is aged or damaged, and confirm whether the earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) is functioning normally. If the electrical box in your home is old or has frequent power outages, it is recommended to have it repaired by a professional electrician before the typhoon season. In addition, sockets on balconies, outdoors and bathrooms should be confirmed to have leakage protection functions.

Prepare an emergency kit and backup power supply. The Fire Department of the Interior Ministry recommends that an emergency evacuation kit should be prepared at home, including at least 3 days' worth of dry food and drinking water, as well as lighting and communication equipment such as flashlights and mobile power supplies. The International Power Monitoring Platform also pointed out that in the face of the risk of long-term power outages, it is crucial to prepare disaster prevention material packages in advance. Each person should reserve approximately 3.8 liters of clean water per day for drinking and basic hygiene.

Secure or put away outdoor items. Secure or secure balcony potted plants, advertising boards and other hanging objects to prevent strong winds from blowing them down and hitting wires or causing other dangers. At the same time, check whether the doors and windows are secure. If necessary, stick "meter"-shaped tape on the glass for reinforcement.

During a typhoon: response to power outages and water leakage

During a typhoon, if a power outage occurs or water enters the house, correct response measures are crucial.

What to do in the event of a power outage. The main cause of power outages caused by typhoons is that strong winds caused trees to fall and debris to hit power facilities. During a power outage, you should turn off the switches of the main electrical appliances in your home and unplug unnecessary plugs to avoid instantaneous surge damage to home appliances when power is restored. Never use candles for lighting to avoid fire hazards. Use flashlights or emergency lighting equipment instead.

Response to water intrusion into the house. If there is water accumulation in your home, you should cut off the main power supply as soon as possible and avoid touching wires, distribution boxes and sockets. Never touch electrical appliances that are exposed to water with bare feet or wet shoes. If water heaters, washing machines, air-conditioning outdoor units and other equipment are soaked in water, they should be used with caution. It is best to wait for professional inspection before turning them on.

Electricity safety during typhoons. Keep doors and windows closed at all times, and stay away from floor-to-ceiling windows and large areas of glass. If you find any downed power lines outdoors, stay at least 8 meters away immediately and call Taipower customer service hotline 1911 or 95598 to report it. It is strictly prohibited to charge electric vehicles or mobile phones in wet areas such as outdoors, stairwells or underground.

After the typhoon: power restoration and post-disaster inspection

After the typhoon, although the wind and rain have stopped, the real test has just begun. Many hydropower disasters occur within 24 hours after a typhoon passes.

Check before calling back. After the water recedes and before entering the house, check outside for downed or exposed wires. After entering the house, make sure the main power switch is turned off and do not touch wet walls or water-soaked electrical appliances. Comprehensively check the wires, sockets, and switches in your home and make sure they are dry and intact before trying to restore power.

Observation after closing. After powering on again, if the circuit breaker trips or there is a burnt smell coming from the circuit, the main power supply must be cut off immediately and the circuit breaker must not be forcibly closed repeatedly. Electrical appliances that have been soaked in water are strictly prohibited from being turned on and used directly. The surface should be wiped dry and fully ventilated to dry, or the appliance should be inspected by a professional electrician before it can be used.

Leaks and Structural Inspections. After a typhoon, walls and ceilings should be checked for water seepage or wall cancer. These are often warning signs of aging pipelines. If the water pipes in your home are more than 20 years old, it is recommended to ask a professional plumber to conduct a comprehensive assessment after the typhoon season.

Although typhoons are unavoidable, losses can be minimized through thorough prior inspections and correct response measures. Homeowners in Shuangbei, take an hour to go through this list before the next typhoon comes, which is the best way to protect your family and your house.