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MAKE A PLAN - KNOW
THE RISK - BE PREPARED!
Power Outages - Know The Risks
Information Supplied By Government of Canada
Most power outages will be over almost as soon
as they begin, but some can last much longer – up to days or even weeks. Power
outages are often caused by freezing rain, sleet storms and/or high winds which
damage power lines and equipment. Cold snaps or heat waves can also overload the
electric power system.
Download the new Power Outages - What to do?
brochure (PDF 167KB)
During a power outage, you may be left without
heating/air conditioning, lighting, hot water, or even running water. If you
only have a cordless phone, you will also be left without phone service. If you
do not have a battery-powered or crank radio, you may have no way of monitoring
news broadcasts. In other words, you could be facing major challenges.
You can greatly lessen the impact of a power
outage by taking the time to prepare in advance. You and your family should be
prepared to cope on your own during a power outage for at least 72 hours.
Preparing your home
- You can install a non-electric standby
stove or heater. Choose heating units that are not dependent on an electric
motor, electric fan, or some other electric device to function. It is
important to adequately vent the stove or heater with the type of chimney
flue specified for it. Never connect two heating units to the same chimney
flue at the same time.
- If you have a wood-burning fireplace,
have the chimney cleaned every fall in preparation for use and to eliminate
creosote build-up which could ignite and cause a chimney fire.
- If the standby heating unit will use the
normal house oil or gas supply, have it connected with shut-off valves by a
certified tradesperson.
- Before considering the use of an
emergency generator during a power outage, check with furnace, appliance and
lighting fixture dealers or manufacturers regarding power requirements and
proper operating procedures.
People with disabilities or others requiring
assistance
Consider how you may be affected in a power outage,
including:
- Your evacuation route – without elevator
service (if applicable).
- Planning for a backup power supply for
essential medical equipment.
- Keeping a flashlight and a cell phone
handy to signal for help.
- Establishing a self-help network to
assist and check on you during an emergency.
- Enrolling in a medical alert program that
will signal for help if you are immobilized.
- Keeping a list of facilities that provide
life-sustaining equipment or treatment.
- Keeping a list of medical conditions and
treatment.
- If you live in an apartment, advise the
property management that you may need assistance staying in your apartment
or that you must be evacuated if there is a power outage. This will allow
the property manager to plan and make the necessary arrangements on your
behalf.
During a power outage
- First, check whether the power outage is
limited to your home. If your neighbours' power is still on, check your own
circuit breaker panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a breaker or a
fuse, check the service wires leading to the house. If they are obviously
damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters back and notify your
electric supply authority. Keep the number along with other emergency
numbers near your telephone.
- If your neighbours' power is also out,
notify your electric supply authority.
- Turn off all tools, appliances and
electronic equipment, and turn the thermostat(s) for the home heating system
down to minimum to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored.
Also, power can be restored more easily when there is not a heavy load on
the electrical system.
- Turn off all lights, except one inside
and one outside, so that both you and hydro crews outside know that power
has been restored.
- Don't open your freezer or fridge unless
it is absolutely necessary. A full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to
36 hours if the door remains closed.
- Never use charcoal or gas barbecues,
camping heating equipment, or home generators indoors. They give off carbon
monoxide. Because you can't smell or see it, carbon monoxide can cause
health problems and is life-threatening.
- Use proper candle holders. Never leave
lit candles unattended and keep out of reach of children. Always extinguish
candles before going to bed.
- Listen to your battery-powered or wind-up
radio for information on the outage and advice from authorities.
Use of home generators
Home generators are handy for backup
electricity in case of an outage, but must only be used in accordance with the
manufacturer's guidelines. A back-up generator may only be connected to your
home's electrical system through an approved transfer panel and switch that has
been installed by a qualified electrician. Never plug a generator into a wall
outlet as serious injury can result when the current produced by the home
generator is fed back into the electrical lines, and transformed to a higher
voltage. This can endanger the lives of utility employees working to restore the
power.
To operate a generator safely:
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- Ensure that the generator operates
outdoors in well-ventilated conditions, well away from doors or windows, to
prevent exhaust gases from entering the house.
- Connect lights and appliances directly to
the generator. If extension cords must be used, ensure they are properly
rated, CSA-approved cords.
If you have to evacuate
Evacuation is more likely during winter
months, when plummeting temperatures can make a house inhabitable. Although a
house can be damaged by low temperatures, the major threat is to the plumbing
system. If a standby heating system is used, check to see that no part of the
plumbing system can freeze.
If the house must be evacuated, protect it by
taking the following precautions:
- Turn off the main breaker or switch of
the circuit-breaker panel or power-supply box.
- Turn off the water main where it enters
the house. Protect the valve, inlet pipe, and meter or pump with blankets or
insulation material.
- Drain the water from your plumbing
system. Starting at the top of the house, open all taps, and flush toilets
several times. Go to the basement and open the drain valve. Drain your hot
water tank by attaching a hose to the tank drain valve and running it to the
basement floor drain.
- Note: If you drain a gas-fired water
tank, the pilot light should be turned out – call the local gas supplier to
re-light it.
- Unhook washing machine hoses and drain.
- Do not worry about small amounts of water
trapped in horizontal pipes. Add a small amount of glycol or antifreeze to
water left in the toilet bowl, and the sink and bathtub traps.
- If your house is protected from
groundwater by a sump pump, clear valuables from the basement floor in case
of flooding.
After the power returns
- Do not enter a flooded basement unless
you are sure 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 electrician.
- Replace the furnace flue (if removed) and
turn off the fuel to the standby heating unit.
- Switch on the main electric switch
(before, check to ensure appliances, electric heaters, TVs, microwaves
computers, etc. were unplugged to prevent damage from a power surge).
- Give the electrical system a chance to
stabilize before reconnecting tools and appliances. Turn the heating-system
thermostats up first, followed in a couple of minutes by reconnection of the
fridge and freezer. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting all other
tools and appliances.
- 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 heater is
filled before turning on the power to it.
- Check food supplies in refrigerators,
freezers and cupboards for signs of spoilage. If a freezer door has been
kept closed, food should stay frozen 24 to 36 hours, depending on the
temperature. When food begins to defrost (usually after two days), it should
be cooked; otherwise it should be thrown out.
- As a general precaution, keep a bag of
ice cubes in the freezer. If you return home after a period of absence and
the ice has melted and refrozen, there is a good chance that the food is
spoiled. When in doubt, throw it out!
- Reset your clocks, automatic timers, and
alarms.
- Restock your emergency kit so the
supplies will be there when needed again.
Know The Risks
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