Power and Water Outages

• Make an emergency plan for your household
• Prepare an emergency kit for your household
  • Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with supplies such as food, water, battery-powered or crank flashlights and radios, along with extra batteries.
  • Store water for your family (including pets) for drinking, cooking and hygiene.

Tips for storing water:

• Store enough drinking water for your family and pets for up to 72 hours (3 days). The recommended amount of drinking water per person per day is 4 litres.
• If you have a pet, plan to have at least an extra four litres of water a day for them. 
• Consider that during an emergency, some of your stored water will need to per used for cooking and washing. 
• Store water in a dark, cool room. 
• If you have room in your freezer, keep some bottled water frozen. In a power outage, frozen water bottles can help keep food cool and provide additional water when thawed. 

• Have an alternate heating source in your home that does not need electricity to function (must be adequately vented)
• If the alternate heating unit uses regular house oil or gas supply, have a certified technician install shut-off valves
• Clean your chimney every fall (this helps to get rid of buildup which could ignite and cause a chimney fire in wood-burning fireplaces)
• If you are considering an emergency generator for your home, check with dealers or manufacturers for the power requirements and proper operating procedures
• Ensure that your home has a working carbon monoxide detector (if it is hardwired to your electrical supply in your home make sure it has a battery-powered backup)
• Protect sensitive electrical appliances such as televisions, media players and computers with surge-protecting power bars
• Install a corded telephone line in your home (most cordless telephones will not work during a power outage)

• Consider how you may be affected during a power outage, including your evacuate route
• Have a backup power supply for essential medical equipment
• Keep a flashlight and a cellular telephone on hand to signal for help
• Establish a self-help network to assist and check on you during an emergency
• Enroll in a medical alert program that will signal for help if you are immobilized
• Keep a list of facilities that provide life-sustaining equipment or treatment
• Maintaining a list of medical conditions and treatment
• Signing up for the Vulnerable Persons Registry

• When the power goes out, check to see if only your house has been affected (if yes, check your own circuit breakers panel or fuse box)
• If the problem is not a breaker or a fuse, check the service wires leading to your home (if they are damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters away and notify your electric company)
• Keep emergency numbers near your telephone
• If the power is out in the neighbourhood, notify your electric company
• Turn off all tools, appliances and electric equipment to prevent power surge when power is restored
• Turn off all lights, except for one inside and one outside, so that both you and the hydro crews know that power has been restored
• Do not use any household appliances that require water.
• Don't open your freezer or fridge unless necessary (a full freezer can keep food frozen for 24 to 36 hours if the door remains closed)
• Never use charcoal or gas barbeques, camping equipment or home generators indoors as they give off carbon monoxide
• Use proper candle holders and never leave unattended
• Listen to your radio for information on the power outage

• See evacuation for information and instructions
• Clear valuables from the basement floor in case of flooding

• Never enter a flooded basement unless you are certain the power is disconnected
• Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse breaker panels until they have been checked and cleaned by a qualified technician
• Replace the furnace flue (if removed) and turn off the fuel to the standby heating unit
• Before switching on the main electric switch check to ensure appliances were unplugged to prevent damage from power surge
• Give the electrical systems a chance to stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances
• Turn the heating system on first, followed by reconnecting the fridge and freezer and then wait 10-15 minutes before reconnecting everything else
• Close the drain valve in the basement
• Turn on the water supply (close lowest valves/taps first and allow air to escape from upper taps)
• Make sure that the hot water is filled before turning on the power
• Check food supplies in refrigerators, freezers, and cupboards for signs of spoilage
• Reset all clocks, automatic timers, and alarms
• Restock your emergency kit items