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Outage Safety Tips

Before an Outage During an Outage After an Outage For Rural Customers

Home Outages & Safety Outage Centre Outage Safety Tips

When the power goes out, be assured that Burlington Hydro is working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service. Until the lights come back on, safety must remain the top priority.

Emergency kit with food, water, torch, first aid, documents, and supplies displayed on a sofa.

Before an Outage

Be Prepared

Discuss safety procedures and meeting points with your family.

Learn how to create an emergency plan

Emergency Kit Contents

Prepare an emergency kit with:

  • Five litres of water per person
  • Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  • First aid kit and medications
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Sanitation and personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents
  • Cell phone with chargers or pre-charged power sticks
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash

Plan for Communication

  • Keep your smartphone fully charged and have a portable charger on hand.
  • Keep a list of emergency numbers handy, including Burlington Hydro’s outage line: 1-877-310-4937.

Protect Your Home

  • Install surge protectors or a whole-home surge device (by an ESA-approved electrician).
  • Have multiple flashlights with fresh batteries in accessible locations.
  • Avoid using candles; if necessary, keep them away from flammable objects, out of reach of children, and never leave them unattended.
  • If severe weather is expected, fill up your vehicle’s gas tank and charge your electronic devices.

During an Outage

  • Always stay back from any downed powerlines as they may be energized and deadly.
  • Maintain a minimum distance of 10 metres from anything touching downed wires (trees, fences, vehicles, etc.).
  • Immediately call Burlington Hydro at: 1-877-310-4937 to report hazards.
  • If your home or basement is flooded, DO NOT walk in or touch standing water — it may be electrified.
  • Use flashlights or lanterns for lighting; avoid candles whenever possible.
  • Never use fuel-burning barbecues, ranges, or generators indoors or in attached garages as they emit deadly carbon monoxide (CO).
  • Ensure you have CO alarms installed outside sleeping areas if your home has fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to preserve cold air.
  • Refrigerated and frozen food will typically last up to 24 hours.
  • Keep children indoors and supervised. Outdoor conditions can be dangerous after storms.
  • Have safe lighting options within reach (no candles).
  • Dress warmly or bundle up to conserve heat.
  • Consider moving to a friend’s home or community warming or cooling station if the outage is expected to be long or if temperatures are extreme. Check the City of Burlington website for open community warming and cooling centers.

After an Outage

When Power is Restored

  • Leave one light on so you’ll know when power returns.
  • Unplug sensitive electronics and appliances to protect them from power surges.
  • Wait a few minutes before turning on major appliances to reduce the initial demand on the system.

Safety Check

  • If any damage is visible to your electrical panel, service stack, or meter base, contact a licensed electrician before using electricity. If you notice any obstacles to your power supply (i.e. tree limbs on power lines) contact Burlington Hydro immediately.  
  • If you spot anything that could interfere with your power supply, such as tree branches on distribution lines, do not approach or attempt to remove it. Contact Burlington Hydro right away so we can address the issue safely.
  • If your home was flooded, have it inspected by a licensed electrician before re-entering or restoring power.

For Rural Customers

Rural and farm properties can experience longer outages, especially after severe storms. Take proactive steps to protect your home, livestock, and property.

  • Always stay 10 metres away from downed lines.
  • Never touch anything contacting a powerline (trees, fences, roofs, etc.).
  • Flooded barns or buildings can be electrified — do not enter standing water.
  • Have a backup generator and understand its safe operation.
    • Never operate a generator indoors or close to buildings — carbon monoxide is deadly to people and animals.
  • Secure livestock — electric fencing may not function during outages.
  • Store ample water and insulate containers to prevent freezing.
  • Have a livestock evacuation plan in case of extended outages or structural damage.
  • Stock an emergency supply kit for both people and animals.
  • Keep an updated list of emergency contacts.
  • Plan for restricted travel after severe storms — roads and rural routes may be blocked.
  • Further resources are available through Halton Region.