When a big storm hits, one of the best ways to protect your electronic devices is also one of the simplest. “Make sure to unplug your electronic devices before the storm, not once it starts. Also be sure to stay away from any devices that are still plugged in because lightning can actually travel through your home’s wires,” said Paul Hope, of Consumer Reports. Are you worried that you will forget? Keep your valuable electronic devices plugged into a surge protector at all times for another level of safety. The cost of whole-home surge protectors, for those in lightning-prone areas, ranges from $50 to more than $500. Your phone is often your lifeline in emergency situations. So, turn on battery saving mode to help conserve its power. On most phones, this feature invokes power-hungry features: like dimming the screen, turning off background updates, and email fetch. There are other useful options. “A good portable charger can charge your phone several times before it dies,” Hope said. Consumer Reports prefers the Anker Nano Power Bank with a built-in USB-C connector for phone duty. But if you also need to charge your laptop, check out Mophie’s larger model, the Powerstation Pro AC. “Solar options are really great. Just keep in mind that they can take a while to charge themselves,” Hope said. A solar option recommended by Consumer Reports is the Big Blue 28W Solar Charger. To help power all or part of your home and protect your electronic devices, consider using an inverter generator. They can cost a little more than traditional models, but provide better quality power, similar to a wall outlet, that won’t damage your gadgets. Consumer Reports recommends the Wen GN875iX for your larger power needs and the Generac IQ3800DF for a few basic appliances and your tech gear. Both received top scores for power delivery and power quality. It features a carbon monoxide safe shut-off. Consumer Reports says the best time to build your emergency kit is now, before a storm is on the way.
Manchester, New Hampshire –
When a big storm hits, one of the best ways to protect your electronic devices is also one of the simplest.
“Make sure to unplug your electronic devices before the storm, not once it starts,” said Paul Hope of Consumer Reports. “Also be sure to stay away from any devices that are still plugged in because lightning can actually travel through your home’s wires.”
Worried you’ll forget? Keep your valuable electronic devices plugged into a surge protector at all times for another level of safety.
Whole-home surge protectors, for those in lightning-prone areas, cost anywhere from $50 to more than $500.
Your phone is often your lifeline in emergency situations. So, turn on battery saving mode to help conserve its power. On most phones, this feature invokes power-hungry features: like dimming the screen, turning off background updates, and email fetch.
There are other useful options.
“A good portable charger can charge your phone several times before it dies,” Hope said.
Consumer Reports likes the Anker Nano Power Bank with its built-in USB-C connector for phone duty.
But if you also need to charge your laptop, check out a larger model from Mophie, the Powerstation Pro AC.
“Solar options are really great. Just keep in mind that they may take a while to charge themselves,” Hope said.
A solar option recommended by Consumer Reports is the Big Blue 28W Solar Charger.
To help power all or part of your home and protect your electronic devices, consider using an inverter generator. They can cost a little more than traditional models, but provide better quality power, similar to a wall outlet, that won’t damage your gadgets.
Consumer Reports recommends the Wen GN875iX for larger power needs and the Generac IQ3800DF for a few essential appliances and your technology gear. Both received top scores for power delivery and power quality. It features a carbon monoxide safety shut-off.
Consumer Reports says the best time to build your emergency kit is now, before a storm is on the way.
