Power outage checklist

Public Safety Canada recommends being ready to look after your household for at least 72 hours. Here's a practical list focused on power.

Before

• Flashlights or headlamps and spare batteries (avoid candles)
• A charged power station or battery bank for phones, internet and medical devices
• Water: about 4 litres per person per day for at least three days
• Food that doesn't need cooking, and a manual can opener
• A battery or crank radio
• Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms with fresh batteries
• Know where your main breaker is, and how to open the garage door manually
• Save your utility's outage number and outage map link on your phone
• Sign up for your utility's outage alerts

During

• Report the outage to your utility; don't assume they know.
• Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A full freezer holds food for about 48 hours, a half-full one about 24, and a closed fridge about 4.
• Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from a surge when power returns. Leave one light on so you know when it's back.
• Stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines and call 911.
• Never use barbecues, camp stoves or generators indoors or in a garage.

After

• Check food: when in doubt, throw it out.
• Recharge power stations right away, ready for the next one.
• Reset clocks and check the furnace and sump pump are running normally.

See GetPrepared.gc.ca for full emergency kit guidance.