Typhoon Bavi Approaches! Unplug These 4 Appliances Immediately, or Risk Damage During Power Restoration

With Typhoon Bavi approaching, residents should not only prepare emergency supplies such as drinking water and dry food, but also inspect balcony drainage and home electrical appliances in advance.

Home appliance expert Mr. 486 advises checking each appliance to ensure it is properly turned off before a typhoon hits. Devices that won’t be used temporarily should have their plugs removed from outlets.

Many people are accustomed to leaving appliances in standby mode. This not only continuously consumes electricity, but also increases the risk of appliance failure during power outages, restoration, or voltage instability.

Mr. 486 explains that devices such as TVs, audio systems, coffee makers, and rice cookers continue to consume small amounts of electricity in standby mode as long as they remain plugged in, even when not in use. During a typhoon, sudden power outages or restoration can generate voltage fluctuations that may damage internal electronic components. Households without surge protectors should be especially cautious.

He points out that some people only realize their appliances are no longer working after the typhoon has passed, and the cause may lie in abnormal currents generated during the power interruption and restoration process. Therefore, before a typhoon arrives, it’s advisable to review all plugged-in devices and unplug those that won’t be used temporarily, reducing the risks of equipment damage, electrical leakage, and standby power consumption.

However, not all appliances should be unplugged. Refrigerators and freezers need to run continuously to maintain the low temperatures required for food preservation and are generally not recommended to be powered off arbitrarily. Wi-Fi routers consume relatively little electricity, and unplugging them would not only cut off home internet access but could also affect security cameras, smart locks, and other smart home devices, so frequent disconnection is unnecessary.

Mr. 486 recommends using smart plugs with timer or remote control functions. Before a typhoon, users can turn off designated appliances via smartphone, and monitor device usage and power consumption patterns during normal times, achieving both energy savings and home safety.

Typhoon preparedness at home involves more than securing windows, checking drainage, and stocking supplies—electrical safety is equally important. While choosing energy-efficient appliances, households should also cultivate the habit of turning off standby devices and unplugging unused appliances to minimize losses caused by voltage abnormalities during typhoons.

This article is republished with permission from Mr. 486 (Original title: Typhoon Most Feared: Home Appliance Expert Reveals Which Plugs to Unplug First) Editor: Wei Fu-Cheng