Storm Season Electrical Safety: How to Protect Your Geelong Home
A summer storm can roll across the Bellarine in under an hour. One minute it’s 35 degrees, the next the lights flicker, the street goes dark, and something in your house has quietly taken a power surge.
Smart Green Electrical provides 24/7 emergency electrical services across Geelong, Ocean Grove, and the Bellarine Peninsula, and storm season is when most of those calls come in.
Quick answer: To protect your home’s electrics in a storm, install a surge protector at the switchboard, test your safety switches, and unplug electronics before the storm arrives. Afterwards, treat every fallen powerline as live, stay at least 8 metres away, and report it to Powercor on 13 24 12, or call 000 if anyone is in danger.
Before the Storm Hits
The best time to prepare is on a calm day, not when the first warning lands on your phone.
What to Do Now:
- Fit a surge protector at your switchboard to protect TVs, computers, appliances and solar inverters
- Test your safety switches by pressing the test button on each one
- Save Powercor’s faults line (13 24 12) and our 24/7 number in your phone
- Keep a torch and a charged power bank where you can find them in the dark
A surge-protected power board helps, but it only protects what’s plugged into it.
During and After the Storm
Most storm injuries happen afterwards, when people head outside to check the damage.
How to Stay Safe:
- Unplug sensitive electronics before the storm arrives, not in the middle of lightning
- Treat every fallen powerline as live and stay at least 8 metres away
- Call 000 if anyone is in danger, then report the line to Powercor on 13 24 12
- Never touch power points, lights or switchboards that have got wet
If the power goes out, switch major appliances off at the wall and leave one light on, so you know when power returns.
Signs You Need an Electrician
Some storm damage is obvious. Most of it isn’t.
Call Us If You Notice:
- A burning smell, buzzing or scorch marks near power points or switches
- Power in some rooms but not others
- A safety switch that trips again the moment you reset it
- Water stains on the ceiling near light fittings
Not sure if it’s an emergency? Our guide on what to do in an electrical emergency walks you through it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who do I call when the power goes out after a storm in Geelong?
For a street-wide outage, call Powercor on 13 24 12 or check their outage map. If your neighbours have power and you don’t, the fault is likely in your home, so call an electrician.
Should I unplug appliances during a storm?
Yes. Unplug TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics, ideally before the storm arrives. A surge protector at the switchboard protects everything you can’t unplug.
Is it safe to reset my safety switch after a storm?
If everything is dry, try resetting it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call an electrician, as it’s likely detecting moisture or damage.
Why Choose Smart Green Electrical?
With more than 20 years of experience across Geelong, Ocean Grove, and the Bellarine Peninsula, Smart Green Electrical is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’ll make your home safe, find the damage, and tell you plainly what needs fixing.
Get Started Today
Get storm-ready before the season hits. Call Smart Green Electrical on 0483 939 131 or email service@smartgreenelectrical.com.au to book a surge protection and safety switch check.
For storm damage, we’re on call 24/7.
