Overview
Power outages are short or long-term losses of electric power that can impact a single home, a neighbourhood, or an entire community.
A blackout is a type of power outage involving the loss of power to an entire area.
Your household should be prepared for a power outage at any time of the year.
Causes
Power outages are often caused by severe weather, such as:
- high winds
- freezing rain
- flooding
They can also occur:
- during periods of extreme heat and extreme cold
- when there is an increased demand for electricity
Effects
During a power outage, you may lose access to:
- water
- electricity
- heat and air conditioning
- information services
- communications channels
Access to services and businesses may be affected, including:
- grocery stores
- banks and ATMs
- gas stations
- pharmacies
Power outages may also put a strain on institutions like hospitals and shelters, even if they are using backup generators.
Safety Tips
When the power goes out
- Verify if power is still on elsewhere. Check your electrical panel and speak with your neighbours.
- Contact your utility service provider to report the outage and to get information about its scale.
- Keep yourself, children and pets at least 10 metres away from any downed power lines— even wires that have been down for several days could still be live.
During a power outage
- Turn off and unplug appliances and electronics, except for your refrigerator and freezer.
- Turn down heating/cooling systems to the minimum to prevent damage when power is restored.
- Keep one light on inside to alert you when power is restored.
- Keep one light on outside to alert utility workers when power is restored.
- Only use portable space heaters that are designed for indoor use.
- Use a natural gas fireplace to provide warmth, if available and necessary.
- Do not use a gas stove or oven as a heat source— it could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Do not use charcoal or gas barbeques, camping stoves, or home generators indoors. The exhaust from these items create carbon monoxide or smoke which is dangerous and can be fatal.
If your home is too cold or too hot, and it is safe to leave, go to an alternative location until it is safe to return.
Food and water
- Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed while the power is out. If possible, monitor temperatures with a thermometer.
- Stick to non-perishable foods as much as possible.
- Keep a storage of water as part of your emergency preparedness kit.
- If possible, fill your bathtub with water to use it to flush your toilet during the outage.
- If you rely on a well water system, use a backup generator to supply power to the pump.
Food storage
- A fridge can keep food cold for 4 hours.
- A full freezer can keep food frozen for 2 days. A half-full freezer can keep food frozen for 1 day.
- If it’s wintertime, and you know the power will be out for a long period of time, store food outside.
Travelling
Do not travel by car during a power outage unless it is necessary.
If you need to travel:
- check Ontario 511 for traffic reports and road conditions
- know how to use the manual releases on automated doors (including garage doors)
If a wire falls on your vehicle:
- Remain in your vehicle (unless it is unsafe to do so)
- Stay calm and call for help
- If you need to exit your vehicle, jump clear of the car and ensure to land on both feet. Continue to shuffle along the ground until you are 10 metres clear of any downed power lines.
After a power outage
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes before slowly turning appliances back on to allow the system a chance to stabilize.
- Turn the essentials on first, such as the heat in the winter.
- Make sure your hot water heater is filled before turning it back on.
- Check frozen food and assess its temperature. Food that still contains ice crystals or feels refrigerator-cold can be re-frozen.
- Contact an electrician if you notice any damage to your home’s electrical system.
Prepare now
A power outage can happen at any time in the year. To prepare:
- Have a plan. Consider what essentials may be impacted by a loss of power (for example, refrigerated medication or medical equipment), keep backups and ensure an alternative exit plan if you rely on elevator service.
- Ensure your household’s emergency preparedness kit is stocked to last for at least 3 days.
- Follow manufacturer instructions for your back-up generator and ensure it is professionally installed.
- Use battery-operated smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Use surge-protecting power bars for your electronics.
- Before storms, lower your refrigerator and freezer temperatures to protect your food supply in case of a power outage.
- Keep your vehicle’s gas tank at least half full at all times.
In the community
Stay informed by tracking weather forecasts and potential outages through:
- local news sources
- Government of Canada’s weather website and social media account
Look up local shelters and cooling stations. Make sure you know how your community shares updates during emergencies.
