Power outage

How well we fare during a power outage depends upon how much we prepare before it happens!

·         Glow-in-the-dark sticks, which can be purchased at most dollar and toy stores, provide a safe, alternative light source for children.

·         If you have a fireplace or woodstove, keep a stock of firewood.

·         You should have at least one traditional (corded) telephone in your house, as cordless phones do not work in a power outage.

·         Gas and charcoal barbeques should NEVER be used indoors – they are a fire and safety hazard and can give off deadly carbon monoxide.

·         Portable stoves, lamps and other camping equipment are useful to have in the event of a power outage.

·         Store fuel for these items in a shed or garage, away from the house. Many fuels can give off combustible vapours and should never be stored in your home.

·         If you have an electric garage door opener, make sure there is an emergency release handle and learn how to operate the door without power.

·         Have coolers or ice chests on hand (inexpensive Styrofoam coolers will work) and a supply of ice for food storage in the event of a long-term power outage.

·         Install surge protectors in your home to safeguard valuable electronic equipment such as computers and home entertainment systems.

·         Know where to find utility shut-offs – electricity, water and gas – in the event you need to turn any of these off or to direct utility company personnel.

·         Make sure you have at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times. Gas pumps are electrically operated and gas stations will shut down during a power outage.

During a power outage

·         First check to see if your neighbours have power. If you are the only home without electricity, check the electrical panel to see if the main circuit breaker has been tripped. If your neighbours don't have electricity either, you know there has likely been a power outage in your area.

·         If you are on a home oxygen system or other life-sustaining equipment, contact the service provider (vendor) to learn the details of their emergency contingency plan in the event of a power outage.

·         Turn off all major non-essential appliances like your electric range and washer/dryer. Appliances and tools left switched on will start up automatically when your power is restored. Turning them off prevents injury or fire.

·         Turn off all lights but one (so that you know when power has been restored).

·         Unplug sensitive electronic equipment like your computer and home entertainment systems. This will reduce the chance of damage due to electrical surges once power has been restored.

·         Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve the cold inside.

·         Have bottled water on hand if you depend on an electric pump to draw water from a well.

·         If a power outage leaves you without heat for some time in the winter, there is an added threat of pipes freezing and bursting. To prevent this, drain the pipes and shut off the main water supply. Before you drain your pipes, you may first want to collect water in clean containers for emergency drinking and cleaning purposes.

Generator safety

There are several safety considerations for anyone using a generator when powering home appliances.

·         Always read the owner's manual before operating your portable generator.

·         Never operate an internal combustion engine inside your home, basement, garage or any other enclosed area.

·         A generator needs an unlimited supply of fresh air for proper cooling during operation – a minimum of 3 – 4 feet of spacing on all sides, including the top.

·         Properly locate the generator outdoors away from doors and windows. An open door or window will allow dangerous exhaust fumes to enter the building. Since combustion engines create carbon monoxide, which can be lethal, good ventilation is critical.

·         Keep the generator dry and always operate it on a level surface.

·         NEVER add fuel to your generator when it is running. Always store additional fuel in approved containers.

·         NEVER feed power from your portable generator into a wall outlet. This causes a very dangerous situation when power is restored as it can feed directly into your generator causing severe to damage it.

·         The safe application of power to your home is achieved simply by using a quality extension cord and surge-protected power strip from the generator directly to the appliance that you want to power.

After a power outage

·         Turn on only the most essential appliances first to give the electrical system a chance to stabilize. Wait 10 – 15 minutes before reconnecting other appliances.

·         Check your fridge and freezer to ensure they are back on. Discard any spoiled food – if in doubt, throw it out!

·         Don't forget to reset your clocks, timers and alarms.

·         Replace any items from your emergency supplies kit that you used so that you are prepared for future emergencies.