Prepare for power outages

Make a power outage emergency kit

You can take the following steps to prepare for a power outage in advance. 

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.
• Note: You may not receive an alert for planned power outages related to scheduled maintenance and repairs. Learn how you will be notified and can prepare for this type of outage in the Planned Power Outages section below.

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. Determine if you need back-up power

• Ensure you have a back-up battery for medical equipment and the back-up equipment is working.
• Have an extra battery for your home security system.
• 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.
• 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.
  • Contact EPCOR if you have received notice of a planned power outage and you plan to use a generator.
• Never use portable generators, barbeques, or propane/kerosene heaters indoors. They give off carbon monoxide, 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. 
  

To continue delivering safe, reliable power to you, our crews must perform upgrades and maintenance to the electrical distribution system. To complete this work safely, a planned power outage may be required. We try to keep these interruptions as short as possible and we notify customers in advance, when possible, so you can be prepared. 

You may receive notice of a planned outage via an automated phone call, an SMS text message, a paper notice or from one of our crew members.

In addition to the tips on preparing for an outage, take the following steps if you receive notice of a planned outage:

• Emergency kit: is accessible for critical information and supplies, including medications, phone numbers and backup lighting sources like flashlights.
• Alarm systems: notify your security company of the upcoming power interruption. If your alarm/security system is equipped with battery backup, ensure its proper operation prior to the planned power outage.
• Fridge and freezer: prepare a bag or block of ice to put in the fridge (prior to the start of the outage) to minimize the temperature increase and help keep contents cold.
• Charge your devices: charge your cellphone and other devices, such as a laptop, for use during the outage.
• Medical devices and personal needs are different for each person. Contact your medical care provider and/or the manufacturer of your equipment to determine how best to prepare for the outage.
• Prepare to work elsewhere. If you need to access devices that use power, including Wi-fi routers, laptops, phone chargers and landline phones that won’t work during a power outage, consider an alternate location to work from during that time.
• Seasonal considerations: 
  • Winter:
    • Increase the temperature on your thermostat by a few degrees before a planned power outage to help keep your home warm for longer.
    • Open curtains / blinds when the sun is out and close them at other times to keep the heat in.
    • Use door socks or draft stoppers to prevent heat loss from under doors.
  • Summer:
    • If you have air conditioning, lower the temperature by a few degrees before the outage to help keep your home cool for longer.
    • Open windows during cooler parts of the day and close window coverings before the hottest part of the day to help keep your space cool.
    • Fill insulated bags or thermoses with ice to make ice packs or cold drinks.
    • Stay hydrated and ensure pets can access water throughout the day.

Unplanned power outages can happen for several reasons. If the power goes out unexpectedly in your neighbourhood:

1. Determine if the power is only out in your home

• Visit our outage map to see if the outage has been reported.
• If you've signed up for power outage alerts, check for a text or email about the power outage.
• If the map does not show an outage in your neighbourhood, take a peek out your windows to see if your neighbours have power.
• If they do, check your home 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, call our power emergency line at 780-412-4500.
• Provide all details to help us get our crews and equipment to the right location.
• Learn more about why power outages occur and how we restore power.

Follow these tips to stay safe during a power outage.

• Turn off heat-pro​​​ducing appliances and devices, including home computers, phone chargers, toasters, stoves and tools. Unplugging electronics minimizes the risk of fire when the power comes back on and protects your devices from any potential power surges.
• 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, and a full fridge will stay cold for about 4 hours.
• Turn on backup power for your sump pump. Learn more about sump pumps and other ways to protect your home from basement floods.
• 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.

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