Louisiana Residents Need to Turn Porch Light On When Power Goes Out

(Lafayette, Louisiana) - Living in Louisiana has so many great benefits, but at times we do have to battle the weather, and that means we can often lose power at home.

If you've ever lost power at your house or office, you know that it can be a huge inconvenience; however, there are always those who brave the elements to restore power in your community.

The electricity can go out during winter storms when power lines are weighed down by snow or ice, and during torrential thunderstorms. How many times have you been sitting at home during a tropical storm or hurricane when the power suddenly goes out? It happens.

What can you do if the power at your house goes out to help expedite the process for others to get electricity? A simple switch flip may speed work as linemen go street to street to restore electricity after an outage.

I recently read on social media that one of the most important and generous things you can do when you lose power during a storm is to turn on your porch light. Now, I know this may sound odd, and I am sure you're asking why you would turn a light "on" when you don't have electricity at your house.

The question is valid, but flipping the porch light switch to the "on" position when the electricity is out will signal to linemen that power has been restored on your block or street. When those restoring power see a porch light on, they don't have to knock on doors to confirm the power has been restored, allowing them to move on to their next assignment in your community.

Flipping your porch light on during a power outage will also let your neighbors know when the electricity has been restored. Years ago, after a hurricane, I wasn't aware the power had been restored in our neighborhood, but when I saw lights on next door, it was a sign to turn the air conditioner back on at home.

What to Turn Off in the Home During a Power Outage

When discussing the A/C in your home during a storm, it is always important to turn off your central unit when the power goes out. Surges can ruin a central unit and other electrical components in your home, so when you do lose electricity, be sure to unplug and turn off anything that can be damaged if there's a surge in your home

Remember to also keep your freezer and refrigerator closed at all times while the power is out in your home. Opening and closing them while the power is out will only allow colder air to exit the appliance, which can increase the risk of spoiling any food in them.

As for televisions, gaming devices, and computers, you should probably unplug them when your power is out during a storm. They, too, can be damaged if the electricity "blinks" while linemen work to restore it.

We salute and thank all who respond to our communities when the electricity is out, as they often have to brave hazardous conditions to restore comfort in our homes. Remember, we can assist them while they are out there by simply flipping one switch into the "on" position when the lights go dark.

I hope you'll consider sharing this tip on your social media pages so others are aware. If we can expedite restoring electricity to others during a storm, it is certainly worth the flip of a switch.