Preparation for Before, During and After a Power Outage

Power outages can occur at anytime. Learn how to stay prepared and minimize their impact on you and your home before, during and after the outage.

What to do Before:

Before a power outage occurs, you should make sure you and your family are prepared. By learning more about power outages and taking proper precautions, you can reduce the impacts of an outage and protect yourself, your family and your home.

• The first step to prepare for any emergency is creating an emergency kit and plan. Consider the specific needs oof each member of your household and ensure your kit hosts enough essentials to last you and your family at least 72 hours.
• Plan how you will communicate and receive information, ensure phones are charged and consider purchasing a battery pack to recharge critical devices.
• Be aware of official local or regional sources of information or gathering places. As well as stay informed through local weather networks, news and local radio or television broadcasts.
• Plan for medical needs; make a power outage plan for medical devices powered by electricity.
• Plan evacuation routes, without the use of elevators, and if you live in an apartment building, advise the property management that you may need assistance evacuating.

Preparing your home

• Make sure you know where the water shut-off is in your household and learn how to shut it off safely. If possible, drain water from your plumbing system to avoid frozen pipes during an outage.
• Protect electronics with surge protection. Go a step further by installing a whole home surge protector; helps prevent damage to major home appliances and offers much more protection than a typical power bar with surge protection.
• Make sure all carbon monoxide alarms, and smoke detectors are working properly, and ensure you have backup batteries.
• Have your chimney cleaned every fall to prevent build-up causing fires. Be sure to have the standby heating unit connected with a shut-off valve by a certified tradesperson.
• Consider installing back-up power and heat sources or get advice from a licensed electrician if you’re installing a generator to safely meet your home’s electrical needs.

Electric Vehicle

• Try to always keep your vehicle fully charged, especially in the event of a planned outage.
• Identify nearby neighbours, family or friends that may have a backup charging location.
• Ensure your charger has a certification mark to indicate it has been assessed for safety, along with the proper adapter to charge your vehicle.

What to do During:

In the event of a power outage, make sure you have your emergency kit and plan on hand and in a safe place. The power outage may affect just a few homes or many. Learn how you can minimize the effects of an outage while it’s happening.

• Check to see if the power outage is only at your home.
• Contact your local utility to report the outage.
• Monitor local news for weather updates and announcements from local officials, and/or your hydro utility.
• Limit phone usage if you are unable to recharge; turn on power-saving settings.
• Avoid unnecessary travel by car, as traffic lights may be out.

While you are waiting for the power to come back on...

• Unplug all tools, electronics, and appliances.
• Turn your thermostat down to prevent damage from a power surge when the power is restored.
• Do not touch your fuse panel or circuit breaker with wet hands or while standing on damp floor.
• Do not open your freezer or fridge unless it is an emergency.
• Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce the risk of fire.
• Check to make sure carbon monoxide alarms and smoke detectors are working properly.
• A natural gas stove can be used for food purposes during a power outage and a natural gas fireplace can provide heat until the power is back on.
• Leave one light on outside and inside to show that power has been restored.

Evacuation

Prepare to evacuate your home in case of extreme cold, heat, flooding, or any other hazard.

• Bring your emergency kit and follow instructions from local authorities.
• Make sure you know safe evacuation routes in case cellular or internet services may be down.
• If there is time and it is safe to do so, turn off the main breaker, circuit-breaker panel, or power-supply box in your home before you leave.
• Check to see if your neighbours require assistance.
• Be sure to let others know if you have evacuated.

What to do After:

If you had to evacuate your home during the outage, before entering, look around for downed power lines and fallen trees. Call 911 and your local utility for assistance. Below are some things you should do after a power outage occurs.

• Give your electrical system a chance to stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances.
• Turn up your heating system.
• Reconnect your fridge and freezer and wait 10 – 15 minutes before reconnecting all other tools and appliances.
• Turn on the water supply and make sure the hot water heater is filled before turning the power on to it.
• Check food supply in refrigerators and freezers. When in doubt, throw it out!
• If you see a downed powerline, stay back at least 10 meters, and notify your local utility and officials.
• Restock your emergency kit.

Follow these tips to stay safe and prepared for before, during and after any outage takes place.

For more information on how you and your family and get prepared, please visit: Power outages – Get Prepared