Outage preparedness

Take the following actions so you’re ready in case there’s an outage:

• Build your 72-hour emergency kit.
• Install battery-powered smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with backup power.
• Ensure medical devices and sump pumps have backup power.
• Clean your chimneys annually to prevent fires during outages.
• Maintain at least one landline or battery-powered communication device.
• Notify your building manager if you need mobility assistance.
• Have your standby generator and transfer switches professionally grounded and installed.
• Inspect your exterior wires and call a licensed contractor if they’re damaged.

You can find more information on the Government of Canada’s emergency preparedness website.

If there’s an outage, here’s what you should do:

• Turn off lights, unplug appliances and lower thermostats.
• Use flashlights instead of candles. (If you have to use candles, never leave them unattended.)
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website for more information about storing food and water during an emergency.
• Avoid using generators, barbecues or stoves indoors.
• Use fireplaces safely. Never leave them unattended.
• Use CSA-approved cords when plugging appliances into generators.
• During winter:
  • Shut off your water heater.
  • Turn off the main water valve and drain the pipes while leaving your taps open.
  • Use blankets to insulate valves and meters.
  • Stay home if it’s safe or go to a City Emergency Reception Centre if one is announced.

After an outage:

• Do not enter flooded areas unless the power is confirmed off.
• Inspect all electrical systems for damage before turning the power back on.
• Call a licensed contractor if wires, panels or outlets were damaged.
• Turn on the power gradually. Start with your heating system, then the fridge, then other appliances.
• Ensure your hot water tank is filled before powering it.
• Discard spoiled food if there's any doubt about safety.

You should always be ready for an outage that lasts at least 72 hours. Your emergency kit should include:

• Water: Four litres per person per day (for drinking, cooking and hygiene)
• Food: Canned or non-perishable items, manual can opener
• Lighting and power: Flashlight, radio, extra batteries, chargers, battery packs
• Medical: First aid kit, medications (prescription and over-the-counter), medical documents
• Essentials: Cash (bills and coins), multi-tool, hygiene supplies, toilet paper, sanitizer
• Documents: IDs, insurance and emergency contacts all in a waterproof pouch
• Special needs: Infant formula, pet food, comfort items, mobility aids if needed

For a complete checklist, visit Emergency Management Ontario.

Tip: Refresh your kit twice a year — when you change your clocks in spring and fall.

Download and print your emergency plan. After you fill out all the information, store the plan in your emergency kit and share it with the rest of your household. You should also keep a digital copy on your phone and a printed copy in your vehicle. 

Your emergency plan should include:

• Names, health information and medications for each household member
• Emergency exits and designated meeting places (close to home and out-of-area)
• Childcare contact information (school, daycare, pickup authorization)
• Pet care plan (evacuation options, food, supplies)
• Two emergency contacts (one local, one out-of-area)
• Utility shut-off locations and how to turn them off
• Key phone numbers and emergency contacts

Flooding can occur quickly during storms or outages. Take these steps to help protect your home:

• Test and maintain your sump pump regularly.
• Install a battery-operated backup sump pump to keep water moving if power is lost.
• Add a sump pump alarm to warn you when water levels are high.
• Seal basement cracks with waterproof caulking compounds.
• Ensure gutters are clear and drain water away from your home.
• Regrade your yard so the soil slopes away from the foundation.
• Never enter a flooded basement unless the power is off.

Tip: Plug sump pumps into a GFCI outlet to prevent electrical shock in wet areas.

Learn more about sump pumps in our blog.

Having a backup power source keeps essential equipment and appliances running during an outage. Know how much power you will need and choose the type of generator that meets that capacity:

• Portable generators: Affordable and mobile, these are suitable for powering individual devices.
• Standby generators: Permanently installed, they can power an entire home automatically.
• Electric vehicles (EVs): Some EVs can act as backup power sources.
• Solar generators: Rechargeable, silent and emission-free, but with a lower power output.

Safety tips:

• Always operate generators outdoors, far from windows and doors. Never use one inside your home or garage.
• Plug appliances into the generator using CSA-approved cords.
• Do not connect the generator to your home’s wiring unless you have a professionally installed transfer switch.
• Let generators cool down before refuelling them. Always store the fuel outdoors in approved containers.

Learn more about generators in our blog.

If you live in a high-rise or apartment building:

• Keep a 72-hour emergency kit in your unit.
• Learn where emergency exits and stairwells are located.
• Notify your property manager if you need assistance during an evacuation.
• Test your smoke alarms regularly.
• Don't rely on elevators during emergencies.
• Review your building’s fire safety plan.
• Have a plan for evacuating with pets or family members with mobility needs.

Tip: If you use medical equipment, ensure backup power is in place and let emergency services know in advance.

Keep a printed list of key contacts in your emergency plan and kit. Be sure to include at least one out-of-town contact who can act as a central check-in point for you and your family.

Some other important numbers to keep in mind include:

• Hydro Ottawa outage line: (613) 738-0188
• Ottawa Police Service (non-emergency): (613) 236-1222
• City of Ottawa: 3-1-1
• Enbridge Gas: 1 (866) 763-5427
• Emergency Management Ontario: 1 (800) 565-1842
• 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies