DEALING WITH A LENGTHY POWER OUTAGE
Information reprinted with
permission from Manitoba Hydro
Blizzards,
ice storms and heavy snow can cause power outages from a few hours to several
days.
Even fog
and heavy frost can suddenly affect power lines.
How many
of us are prepared for an extended winter power failure?
Manitoba
Hydro’s experience in responding to a crisis has taught us the more prepared we
are, the less severe the consequences. The
same can be said for you and your family – the better you plan ahead, the
better you’ll cope when trouble hits.
The most
crucial part of any emergency plan is first acknowledging that things can go
sideways with little notice no matter where you live in Manitoba.
The next
step is talking about it with your family and preparing an emergency plan for
your home. Draw a floor plan of your
home, showing the locations of exits (windows and doors), where to shut off
power and water, and where to find the fire extinguisher and how to use
it. Also, plan how to meet and contact
one another if you’re not all at home.
You
should also put together an emergency kit. Everyone should know where it’s kept and what it contains.
EMERGENCY KIT
A kit
doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive, but rather items you likely already
have that can be easily found during an emergency. It should include:
•
Candles
and matches (candles should not be placed near flammable materials or left
unattended).
•
Flashlights
with fresh batteries.
•
A
wind-up or battery-powered clock.
•
A
portable battery-operated radio to keep you informed on the status of a power
outage.
•
A
supply of non-perishable food that doesn’t need cooking like crackers, cereal,
trail, mix. Dried fruit, granola bars, peanut butter and canned food like fruit
and tuna – don’t forget a manual can opener or multipurpose tool.
•
Potable
water – at least four litres of bottled water per person, per day.
•
Hand
sanitizer.
•
Extra
blankets or sleeping bags
•
Cellular
phone and car charger as well as an extra power bank. Remember, you need dry chargers and
batteries, so have plastic zippered bags in your kit to keep them protected.
•
Extra
pet food.
•
First
Aid Kit. You can buy a first aid kit at
most drugstores or make your own containing basic items.
Know When To Go
Being
prepared allows you to stay calm and make better decisions. During a winter outage, your home will stay
warm for several hours. With an extended
outage, you and your family may decide to go someplace safer and warmer. Make sure you call or email a neighbour,
friend or family member to tell them of your plans.
Before
leaving, unplug electronic equipment like TVs and computers to protect them
from a voltage surge when power is restored. Also make sure your stove is off before you go. You can also turn off the main breaker. This reduces the chances of appliances damage
and safety problems if the power is restored while you’re away.
During a power outage
Power
can be disrupted for a few moments, an hour or two, or in extreme cases such as
a severe winter storm, for more than a day. It’s important to be prepared when the lights go out.
•
Stay clear: If you
see a damaged or fallen power line, stay at least 10 meters away and call 911
•
Tell us: Call us
at 1-888-624-9376 (1-888-MBHYDRO) if
you notice excessive ice buildup on power lines.
•
Have a plan: Put
together an emergency kit that will keep you and your family self-sufficient in
your home for a least three days.
•
Turn off electrical appliances: Pay special attention to those you any have been using when the
power went out (i.e. stove/oven).
•
If you go: If you
leave your house during an outage, turn off the main breaker. This reduces the chance of appliance damage
and safety problems if power is restored while you’re away.