Prepare for power outages

Make a power outage emergency kit

1. Make a power outage emergency kit

• Use our outage checklist to help build your emergency kit for a power outage emergency.
• Your kit should include supplies that will last everyone in your household for 72 hours.
• Store your power outage emergency kit somewhere that's easy to find. Remember, you might have to find it in the dark.
• Check your kit yearly to make sure it's well-stocked. Check that everything in it still works and to replace old batteries.
• Read more from City of Edmonton on how to prepare for emergencies.
• The Government of Alberta also provides useful resources for building a 72-hour emergency kit.

2. Create a plan for you and your family

• Think about what you would need if the power went out for several days. How would you stay warm, keep food cold, and stay in touch with other people?
• Make sure everyone is familiar with the plan. Knowing what to do if your power goes out will make sure you're safe and more comfortable.

3. Prepare a list of emergency phone numbers

• Include fire, police, ambulance, and our power emergency phone number 780-412-4500.

4. Sign up for Power Outage Alerts

• Get alerts by text or email. You'll know that we are aware the power is out in your neighbourhood.
• Our alerts will update you on why the power went out, how long the power is expected to be out, and when it's back on.
• Register for power outage alerts through My Account.

5. Protect your electronics

• Use surge protectors for your computers, gaming systems, TVs, etc.
• Keep a spare cell phone battery or portable charger in your home for your cellphone. Cordless landlines plugged into an electrical outlet will not work during a power outage.

6. Figure out if you need back-up power

• Ensure you have a back-up battery for medical equipment and make sure back-up equipment is in working order.
• Have an extra battery for your home security system.
• If you have equipment that you always need to access, home generators can be useful during a power outage. They can also be extremely dangerous if they are not used properly. Always follow all manufacturers' instructions and call a qualified electrician or electrical inspector if you have questions.
• Never use portable generators, barbeques, or propane/kerosene heaters indoors. They give off carbon dioxide, which is odourless, invisible and can cause illness or even death.

7. Read your electric garage door manual

• Locate the emergency release handle and learn how to open and close the door without power.

8. Keep your home safe when you're away

• Ask a neighbour to keep an eye on your home if you're going to be away on vacation.
• Turn off heat-producing devices, including home computers, and unplug personal devices. Unplugging these devices will reduce the risk of overheating and fires when the power comes back on. 
  

What to do during a power outage

Know what to do when the power goes out in your neighbourhood. Follow these tips we’ve collected to stay safe during a power outage.

1. Find out if the po​​wer failure is limited to your home

• Use our outage map to see if the outage has been reported.
• If you have signed up for power outage alerts, check to see if you had a text or email about the power being out.
• If the map doesn't show an outage in your neighbourhood, take a peek out your windows to see if your neighbours have power
• If they do, check your circuit breaker panel or fuse box.

2. Report a power ​outage in y​our neighbourhood

• If you’ve confirmed there’s a power outage in your neighbourhood, that is not included on the outage map, please call our power emergency line at 780- 412-4500.
• Please give us as many details as possible to help us get the right crews and equipment to the right location.

3. Turn off heat-pro​​​ducing appliances and devices, including home computers, and unplug personal devices

• Unplugging things minimizes the risk of fire when the power comes back on.
• It will also protect your devices from any potential power surges.

4. Don't open​​​ or turn off refrigerators or freezers

• Only open the doors when necessary.
• If the doors stay shut, a full freezer will keep food frozen for 24 to 48 hours, a full fridge will stay cold for about 4 hours.
• A helpful tip is to keep a bag or block of ice in your freezer that can be put in the fridge during a power outage to keep it cold for a longer amount of time.

5. Turn on back-up power for your sump pump

• Your sump pump may need electricity to work.
• Know how your sump pump works and consider consulting a professional on the back-up power options available to you.
• Learn more about sump pumps and other ways to protect your home from basement floods.

6. Turn off all lights except one inside your home and one outside

Both lights will let you and our crews know when the power is back on.

What to do after a power outage

Once your power is back on, here are some tips on what to do after a power outage to protect your appliances and devices and things to check.

1. Turn on only t​​he most essential appliances

• Give the​ electrical system a chance to stabilize. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting other appliances.

2. If devices do not turn on, check the circuit breaker

• First, unplug all your devices and appliances that are not already plugged into a surge protector.
• Check the circuit breaker. You might have to reset the breaker after a power outage.
• If your furnace doesn't kick in after the power outage, it might turn on after resetting the circuit breaker.
  • Newer thermostats that are wired directly to the furnace can reset during a power outage. Check the settings on your thermostat. If they've reset to the factory defaults, you'll have to reprogram it.
  • If your furnace is tied to a GFCI outlet, the outlet may have tripped. Look in your utility room for a GFCI outlet and press the reset button on it.
  • If problems persist, contact a local HVAC company.

3. Check your fr​idge and freezer

• Make sure they're back on.
• If power was out for more than four hours, check the temperature of your fridge. Be mindful of food safety during a power outage. You may need to throw food out.

4. Replace an​​y items you used from your emergency kit

• If you used any item​s from your emergency kit, be sure to replace them so you’re prepared for future outages.

5. Check you​​​r property

• If a storm caused your power outage, check your property for damage, debris, fallen trees, or power lines.
• If something has contacted a power line or a power line is down, stay 10 meters away from the area. Call our power emergency line at 780-412-4500. We will send out a crew to safely remove debris from the power line and make any necessary repairs to power equipment.

6. ​​​Reset your clocks, timers, and alarms