Power Outages

Power outages can occur for a variety of reasons and can last a matter of minutes, hours, days or even weeks.  Depending on the time of year and the weather, the result of a power outage can be a simple inconvenience or an emergency. 

Consider where you were when the power went out on August 14, 2003.  Approximately 50 million people were without power from New York to Toronto to North Bay.  Debit machines were down; gas stations were closed; stores restricted the number of customers inside and items like flashlights, batteries and emergency supplies were in high demand.  For some areas the power came back on later that night; however most were without power for 2-5 days. 

The ice storm which passed through parts of Ontario and Quebec in 1998 left parts of the country covered in a thick sheet of ice and without power for over three weeks.  Approximately 120,000 km of power lines and telephone cables were damaged as trees snapped from the weight of the ice; utility poles and transmission towers were damaged and 600,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes as they could not keep themselves warm under such conditions.

Although most power outages are short in duration, if you don’t consider the possibility of the blackout lasting longer you could be putting yourself in harm’s way.  You need to be prepared.  Remember you will be 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. Follow the Government of Canada’s recommendations to help keep you and your family safe:

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.

If you are going to purchase a home generator, ensure it is used within the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Make sure your home has a working carbon monoxide detector. If it is hard-wired to the house's electrical supply, ensure it has a battery-powered back-up.

Protect sensitive electrical appliances such as TVs, computer, and DVD players with a surge-protecting powerbar.

Regularly backup important computer files.

Make sure you have an analog phone or cell phone.  Cordless and digital phones will not work without electricity.

Prepare a Basic Emergency Kit.

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 that number along with other emergency numbers near your telephone.

If your neighbours' power is also out, notify Innisfil Hydro Distribution Systems Limited.

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.

Turn off the stove if you’re cooking when the power goes out, and turn off natural gas appliances.

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.

Be aware of fire hazards while the power is off and what you should consider before it comes back on.  The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office has information you should read.

Listen to your battery-powered or wind-up radio for information on the outage and advice from authorities.

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. 

If you have to leave your home, take your emergency kit and other essential items with you.

Post a message in clear view, indicating where you can be found. If you have pets, take them to a pre-identified pet-friendly shelter.


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 the 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!  More Information on Food Safety Emergency

Preparedness can be found on the Canada Food Inspection Site.

Reset your clocks, automatic timers, and alarms.

Restock your emergency kit so the supplies will be there when needed again.

Canada Mortgage and Housing also offers more information on recovering from a power outage.