Should You Unplug Major Home Appliances?
If you’ve never unplugged your major appliances during a storm, don’t worry—you’re not necessarily doing anything wrong.
“While appliances can be unplugged during a thunderstorm, leaving them plugged in during a storm generally does not pose any risk,” says Chris Doscher, director of communications for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. “Major appliances are designed and tested to handle the surges from a storm.”
Of course, if you’d feel better about pulling out your oven to unplug it, you certainly can. Other major appliances include your range, cooktop, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, washer, and dryer. For most storms, it’s safe to leave these appliances plugged in.
When You Should Definitely Unplug Major Appliances
While everyday thunderstorms don’t typically require unplugging major appliances, it’s a different story if you’re facing a hurricane or flooding.
“You should unplug all appliances before you evacuate—except for your refrigerator and freezer,” says Doscher. “When you return after a flood, do not plug in any of your appliances until they have been inspected for safety by an electrician or qualified technician.”
The exception for fridges and freezers is so your food remains safe. “If you lose power, refrain from opening either of those appliances as much as possible to avoid increasing the temperature inside,” Doscher says. Refrigerators should stay between 34°F and 40°F. Whether you use the built-in thermometer or a standalone one, monitoring the temperature is key during a power outage.
“Assuming the door stays closed, a full freezer can keep food frozen for about 48 hours,” Doscher says. “If it’s only half full, that window drops to around 24 hours. If you have an advanced warning of a storm, consider freezing perishable items to extend their life in the event of a power outage.”
Small Appliances to Always Unplug Before a Storm
While you can usually leave major appliances plugged in, smaller appliances should always be unplugged when not in use, Doscher says, so the chance of bad weather is a great reminder to double-check. Furthermore, lightning can cause power surges, which could damage small appliances.
“In general, portable and floor care appliances should be kept unplugged when not in use,” Doscher says. “Make sure the cords are in a safe place so they can’t be pulled or snagged and don’t create tripping hazards.”
Small appliances to unplug after you’ve used them include:
- Coffee makers
- Air fryers
- Stand mixers
- Toasters and toaster ovens
- Blenders
- Multi-cookers and slow cookers
- Other small kitchen or bath appliances
- Vacuums and other floor care appliances, like steam cleaners
Should You Use Surge Protectors for Home Appliances?
In short: no. Plug-in surge protectors should not be used with any home appliances, major or small.
“Plug-in surge protectors are not designed to be used with home appliances, and AHAM does not recommend using them with major or portable appliances,” Doscher explains. “They are designed for smaller electronics like laptops and televisions and do not offer the level of current protection necessary to protect home appliances. Furthermore, using plug-in surge protectors with home appliances can cause overheating and might create safety risks.”
In summary, always unplug small appliances after you’re done using them, and use inclement weather as a reminder to double-check you’ve done it. As for major appliances, feel free to leave them as is, unless you’re evacuating.
