When the power goes out
Outage Safety
Preparation and staying connected are the keys to keeping safe during a power outage. BHI provides comprehensive tips and tools to prepare ahead for outages and to stay safe and informed when they occur.
When the power goes out, be assured that Burlington Hydro is working quickly to fix the issue. Until the lights come back on, homeowners must make safety a priority. If any powerlines are down or there is damage to the wiring leading to your home, STAY BACK, assume ALL downed lines are energized and could be deadly. Stay 10 metres away from anything touching powerlines, such as trees, downed limbs, fencing and vehicles. Immediately call 1-877-310-4937.
If your house or basement has flooded, DO NOT WALK IN OR TOUCH STANDING WATER as it may be energized by the electrical system in your home. No part of a flooded home should be considered safe.
Since an outage can leave your home in darkness, have multiple sources of light to ensure you and your family can move around the home safely. Equip your home with flashlights and lanterns, as well as an ample supply of batteries to keep them running. Avoiding the use of candles is highly advisable for fire safety reasons. If you must use them, be sure they are far away from flammable objects, always out-of-reach of children, and never unattended. Avoid walking around your home with lit candles. Always extinguish candles before going to bed.
ALL FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES EMIT DEADLY CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) gas. Use caution and follow manufacturer’s instructions when using any fuel burning appliances indoors or in an attached garage. As a rule, never rely on a fuel burning barbecue or range as a source of heat indoors. Never run a gas generator indoors or in an attached garage, keep it away from the house. It is law in Ontario to have a CO alarm installed outside all sleeping areas, if your home has fuel burning appliances or an attached garage.
Prepare Ahead for Outages: Work with your family to make a plan so that when power outages occur, you are ready. This includes making an Emergency Preparedness Kit with contents as follows:
- Water—5 litres per person
- food—non-perishable,easy-to prepare items
- Flashlights
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents
- Cell phone with chargers / pre-charged charging sticks
- family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
If you are in imminent danger call 9-1-1