POWER OUTAGES IS YOUR FAMILY PREPARED?

POWER OUTAGES IS YOUR FAMILY PREPARED?

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction...1 Precautions For Your Home... 2 During a Power Outage... 3 If You Have To Evacuate... 5 After The Power Returns... 6 Make an Emergency Plan... 7 Get an Emergency 72 Hour Preparedness Kit... 8 Resources...10 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Public Safety Canada, Emergency Preparedness Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Hydro Quebec, BC Hydro, Health Canada

INTRODUCTION In today s society, people have integrated power into every part of their daily lives. Prolonged power outages can severally compromise your ability to heat your home, cook and perform other necessary functions, if you are not prepared. In most cases, power outages are of short duration; however they sometimes can last days or even weeks. Power outages can be caused by freezing rain, sleet, and/or high winds which damage power lines and equipment. Extended periods of cold or hot weather can also overload the electric power system. There are many challenges you may have to face during a power outage. It can leave you without heating, air conditioning, lighting, hot water, or even running water. It can result in cold, damp homes, severe living conditions and damage to walls, floors and plumbing. If you only have access to a cordless telephone in your home, you will also be left without that important service. If you don t have a battery powered or crank radio, you may have no way of monitoring news broadcasts. It is important for you and your family to be prepared to cope on your own during a power outage for at least 72 hours. This can greatly lessen the impact of a power outage by taking the time to prepare in advance. This involves three basic steps: Finding out what to do before, during and after a power outage. Making a family emergency plan, so that everyone knows what to do, and where to go if you need to leave your home. Having an Emergency Kit, so that you and your family can be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during a power outage. 1

PRECAUTIONS FOR YOUR HOME Have an alternate heating source in your home that does not require an electric motor, electric fan, or some other electric device to function. This non-electric stove or heater must be adequately vented. Never connect two heating units to the same chimney flue at the same time. Clean your chimney every fall in preparation for use to eliminate creosote buildup which could ignite & cause a chimney fire in wood burning fireplaces. If the alternate heating unit uses regular house oil or gas supply, have a certified technician install shut-off valves. If you are considering an emergency generator for your home, check with dealers or manufacturers for the power requirements and proper operating procedures for your furnace, appliances and lighting fixtures. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OR THOSE REQUIRING SPECIAL ASSISTANCE Consider how you may be affected during a power outage, including: Your evacuation route - without elevator service (if applicable). Backup power supply for essential medical equipment. Keeping a flashlight and a cellular telephone on hand 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. Maintaining a list of medical conditions and treatment. 2

DURING A POWER OUTAGE When the power goes out, check to see whether only your house has been affected. If your neighbour s power is still on, check your own circuit breakers panel or fuse box. If the problem is not a breaker or a fuse, check the service wires leading to your home. If they are damaged or on the ground, stay at least 10 meters away and notify your electric company. Keep the number along with other emergency numbers near your telephone. If the power is out in the neighbourhood, notify your electric company. Turn off all tools, appliances and electronic equipment, and turn down all thermostats for the homes heating system to minimize to prevent damage from a power surge when power is restored. This also reduces the load on the electrical system and will allow it to be more easily restored. Turn off all lights, except one inside and one outside, so that both you and hydro crews know that power has been restored. 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 as they give off carbon monoxide. REMEMBER: because you can t smell or see it, carbon monoxide is lifethreatening and can cause health problems. Use proper candle holders and never leave lit candles unattended. Keep candles out of the reach of children. Always extinguish candles before going to bed. Listen to your battery powered or wind up radio for information on the power outage and advice from local authorities. 3

TIPS Ensure that your home has a working carbon monoxide detector. If it is hard wired to the electrical supply in your home, make sure it has a battery powered backup. Protect sensitive electrical appliances such as televisions, DVD players, computers, with surge protecting power bars. Install a land line and have a corded telephone in your home. Most cordless telephones will not work during a power outage. USE OF HOME GENERATORS When the power goes out, home generators are handy for backup electricity, but must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer s guidelines. A backup generator may only be connected to your home s electrical system through an approved transfer panel and a switch that has been installed by a qualified electrician. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet as serious injury can result when the current produced by the home generator is fed back into the electrical lines, and transformed to a higher voltage. This can endanger the lives of utility employees working to restore the power. To operate a generator safely: Always follow the manufacturer s instructions. Only operate the generator outdoors in well ventilated conditions, well away from doors or windows, to prevent exhaust gases from entering your home. Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator. If extension cords must be used, ensure they are properly rated, CSA approved cords. 4

IF YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE Evacuation is more likely during winter months, when plummeting temperatures can make a home inhabitable. Although properties 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 your home 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 home. Protect the valve, inlet pipe, and meter or pump with blankets or insulation material. Drain all water from your plumbing system. Starting at the top of the home, 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 your 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 anti-freeze to water left in the toilet bowl, and the sink and bathtub traps. If your home is protected from groundwater by a sump pump, clear valuables from the basement floor in case of flooding. 5

AFTER THE POWER RETURNS Never enter a flooded basement unless you are certain 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 technician. 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, televisions, microwaves, computers, etc. were unplugged to prevent damage from a power surge). Give the electrical system a chance to stabilize before re-connecting 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 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. Check food supplies in refrigerators, freezers and cupboards for signs of spoilage. When food begins to defrost (usually after two days), it should be cooked; otherwise it should be thrown out. Reset all clocks, automatic timers, and alarms. Restock your Emergency Kit so the supplies will be there when needed again. 6

MAKE AN EMERGENCY PLAN Every household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family to know what to do in case of an emergency. Remember, you and your family may not be together when the power goes out. Discuss what could happen and what you should do at home, school or at work if an emergency happens. Make a list of what needs to be done ahead of time. Ensure that all local extended family members you are responsible for are included in your plan (i.e. grandparents, parents, etc.). Store important family documents, (such as birth certificates, passports, wills, financial documents, insurance policies), in waterproof containers. Identify an appropriate out-of-town contact who can act as a central point of contact during an emergency. Write down and exercise your plan with the entire family at least once a year. Make sure everybody has a copy and keeps it close at hand. For more information on making an Emergency Plan, call 780-799-8085 or visit www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca 7

GET AN EMERGENCY 72 HOUR PREPAREDNESS KIT In an emergency you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. You may already have some of the items already, so look around your home. It is important to keep them together in one place so they are easy to grab during an emergency. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Could you find your flashlight in the dark? Make sure your kit is easy to carry. Keep it in a back pack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy to reach, accessable place, such as your front hall closet. Make sure everyone in your home knows where the emergency kit is. BASIC EMERGENCY KIT Water at least 2 litres of water per person per day. Include small bottles that can be carried easily if you must evacuate. Food that won t spoil: canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year). Manual can opener. Wind up or battery powered flashlights (Extra batteries). Wind up or battery powered radio (Extra batteries). First aid kit. Specialty items: prescription medication, infant formula, pet food & equipment for people with disabilities. Extra keys to your car or house. Cash in smaller bills, such as $10 bills (travelers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones. A copy of your emergency plan and contact information. 8

RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL ITEMS: Candles and matches or lighters. A change of clothing and footwear for each household member. Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member. A whistle (in case you need to attract attention). Garbage bags for personal sanitation. Toilet paper and other personal care supplies. Safety gloves. Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, fasteners). Small fuel driven stove and fuel (follow manufacturers directions and store properly). 2 extra litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning. Utensils. Household chlorine, bleach or water purifying tablets. Small fuel operated stove. Duct tape. You can also purchase a pre-packaged emergency kit from the Canadian Red Cross at www.redcross.ca, from St John Ambulance at www.sja.ca or from retailers across Canada. Visit www.getprepared.ca 9

NATIONAL RESOURCES PUBLIC SAFETY CANADA For more emergency preparedness information, go to www.getprepared.ca. CANADA MORTGAGE AND HOUSING CORPORATION For more information on reoccupying your house after a prolonged winter power outage, contact CMHC at 1.800.668.2642 or visit: www.cmhc.gc.ca. CANADIAN RED CROSS - www.redcross.ca ST. JOHN S AMBULANCE - www.sja.ca PROVINCE OF ALBERTA RESOURCES For more information on electrical safety, electricity use or actions to take following a power outage, contact you local electrical company. For regional or local information on emergency preparedness, contact your emergency management organization as follows: ALBERTA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY 780.422.9000 Toll Free: 310.0000 www.aema.alberta.ca MUNICIPAL RESOURCES: REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF WOOD BUFFALO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 780.799.8085 www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, Emergency Management Department 9909 Franklin Avenue, Fort McMurray, AB. T9H 2K4 780.799.8085 OR www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca 10