Practical emergency preparedness
How to Prepare for a Power Outage at Home
Power outages can interrupt lighting, heat, cooling, water pumps, communications and food refrigeration. A simple plan is more useful than last-minute shopping.
Before the power goes out
Charge phones and battery packs, keep flashlights handy, identify how to receive utility and local emergency updates, and prepare a household emergency kit.
Know whether your heating, well pump, medical equipment and internet equipment require electricity. Arrange reliable alternatives for essential needs.
Keep working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, including battery backup where appropriate. Ask a licensed electrician about safe generator connections.
When the lights go out
Check whether the outage affects just your home, then consult your utility's outage information and follow local instructions.
Use flashlights instead of candles to reduce fire risk. Conserve battery power and avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer unnecessarily.
Unplug sensitive electronics when appropriate and leave one light on so you know when electricity returns.
Generator and fuel safety
Never run a fuel-burning generator, barbecue or camp stove inside a home, garage, basement or other enclosed area, even with doors open.
Never connect a generator to household wiring using a homemade backfeed cable. Use professionally installed, code-compliant transfer equipment and follow manufacturer directions.
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave immediately for fresh air and call emergency services from outside.
Food, comfort and recovery
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Use reliable food safety guidance to decide what must be discarded after an outage; do not rely on smell.
Plan for safe indoor temperatures and know when to move to a warming or cooling location. Reconnect appliances gradually when power returns.
Inspect your home for hazards and follow instructions from your utility and local officials.
Keep preparedness guidance offline
Prepared Home Vault brings 30 downloadable PDF preparedness guides together in one collection. Save them to your own computer or USB drive for reference when internet access is unavailable. A charged device or printed copies are still needed.
Explore the 30-guide libraryEducational information only. Follow official warnings, emergency services and qualified professionals. Official reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/hazards-emergencies/power-outages/how-prepare.html. Prepared Home Vault is independent and not government affiliated.