5 Electrical Safety Tips for Cyclone Season

Cyclone Alfred hit parts of south-eastern Queensland and northern New South Wales recently, leaving significant damage, power outages and dangerous electrical hazards in its wake.

With just over a month until the 2024/25 cyclone season officially comes to an end, there’s no time like the present to prepare your home for future cyclone events with these helpful electrical safety tips.

Heavy weather events associated with cyclones such as strong winds, heavy rain and flooding can wreak havoc on your home’s electrical system. This can drastically increase the risk of electric shock, faulty wiring and electrical fires. Taking action now can protect your family and property from avoidable dangers. Here are 5 tips to help you along.

1. Test Safety Switches and Circuit Breakers

First in our electrical safety tips is all about RCD safety switches and circuit breakers. Whether you’re in a cyclone-prone region of Australia or not, these are your faithful first line of defence against electric shock and electrical fires. Therefore, testing them regularly, especially prior to cyclone season, is crucial. Here’s what you need to know:

• Safety switch: Cuts the electrical current to your home when it detects a fault, leaving you with no power and preventing an electric shock. To test it, simply press the “test” button to ensure it shuts off power to your home.
• Circuit breaker: Offers protection from overloads and short circuits. They’re designed to safeguard your electrical appliances and devices. To test your circuit breakers, just flick each to the off position and confirm that it has cut power to that particular circuit.

If either doesn’t work, or your electrical panel shows signs of wear, call a licensed electrician to repair or perform a switchboard upgrade. Property owners should also check that switches meet the Regulatory Compliance Mark to ensure reliability and safe use.

2. Secure Electrical Appliances and Equipment

As we know, cyclonic activity brings strong winds and heavy rain. This heavy weather can damage unsecured electrical appliances, power boards and extension leads.

When you first receive warning signs of an oncoming cyclone, unplug all non-essential electrical equipment to prevent power surges from frying circuits. Keep all plugs, cables and small appliances stored somewhere high and dry to avoid water damage. If you have a solar PV system, switch it off safely before the cyclone hits. Never use electrical devices that have been exposed to water as they could cause an electric shock or start an electrical fire.

A licensed electrician can assess storm-damaged electrical systems before use.

3. Avoid Electrical Hazards During Flooding

If there are two things that should never go together, it’s floodwater and electricity. Stormwater can damage electrical wiring, power points and appliances, increasing the risk of electric shock and electrical fires. If your home is in a cyclone-prone area susceptible to flooding, consider these important electrical safety tips:

• Keep away from fallen overhead lines – treat all wires as live and hazardous, and report them immediately.
• Avoid touching electrical cords, plugs and used or unused power points in wet areas.
• Never use flooded electrical appliances – have them checked or replaced by a licensed professional first.
• Elevate extension cords and power boards – keep them under cover and off the ground to prevent water damage.
• Call a licensed electrician – After any flood activity, do this before turning the power back on.

Following these recommendations will help you avoid electrical incidents and keep your home at peak electrical safety.

4. Check Electrical Wiring for Damage

Strong winds and heavy rain can damage electrical wiring and cause faulty wiring, flickering lights and even electrical fires.

After a cyclone, check for burning smells and sparking or damaged power points. These can indicate a serious electrical risk that needs immediate attention. You should also never ignore frayed electrical cords, exposed wires and water-damaged circuit breakers for the same reason.

Property owners should never do DIY electrical work; it’s actually against the law to do so. Instead, call a licensed electrician to inspect the electrical system. They can test safety switches, replace damaged power boards and ensure all electrical installations are safe.

Addressing issues early can prevent costly and hazardous electrical safety incidents.

5. Be Careful Around Pools and Wet Areas

We know all too well that water and electricity don’t mix. This makes swimming pools, wet outdoor areas and bathrooms high-risk zones for electric shock.

To prevent nasty and avoidable accidents that threaten your home and potentially your life, keep all electrical appliances, extension leads and power boards away from water. Avoid touching electrical devices with wet hands, and if you have young kids at home, make sure you install childproof plugs.

Installing residual current devices (RCDs) or safety switches can provide much-needed additional protection by shutting off power when they detect an electrical fault. After major and damaging storm activity, have a licensed emergency electrician check your electrical wiring before using any outdoor electrical equipment.

Call a Licensed Electrician and Don’t Try DIY

After a cyclone, damaged electrical wiring, power points and electrical appliances become a serious risk to your home and yourself. A licensed electrician has the skills to inspect and fix your electrical system. Don’t do DIY electrical work and call an emergency electrician for:

• Testing safety switches to make sure they work.
• Inspecting the electrical panel for damage and faults.
• Replacing faulty wiring, damaged plugs and burnt power points.
• Checking circuit breakers, surge protectors and safety switches.
• Ensuring all electrical work meets the Regulatory Compliance Mark.

While the importance of regular electrical maintenance at home cannot be overstated, it’s important that you leave it to the professionals.

Follow These Electrical Safety Tips and Stay Cyclone Ready

The cyclone season may be officially over at the end of April, but there’s no better time than now to get prepare your home for the 2025/26 season with these electrical safety tips.

Storms can damage electrical wiring, bring down overhead lines and create serious electrical hazards in your home. Test safety switches, secure electrical appliances and avoid DIY electrical work to prevent electrical fires and electric shock. A licensed electrician can check your electrical system and get your home storm-ready.

Take action now and protect your family, save on electrical repairs and reduce the risk of electrical incidents when wild weather hits again. Keep yourself and your home safe and power up with confidence.

Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “5 Electrical Safety Tips for Cyclone Season”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.