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GuidePower outages range from a brief flicker to days without electricity after a storm. A little preparation and the right steps keep your household safe, your food from spoiling, and your electronics protected. Here's what to do during an outage and what to check when the power comes back.
Check whether it's just your home (a tripped main breaker) or the whole area (neighbours are dark too) — if it's only you, check your panel. Report a wider outage to your utility. Turn off and unplug sensitive electronics and appliances to protect them from the surge when power returns, but leave one light on so you'll know when it's back.
Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible — a full freezer holds its temperature far longer than an empty one. A closed fridge keeps food safe for several hours, a full freezer for a day or more. If the outage is long, know the food-safety rule: when in doubt, throw it out, especially for meat, dairy and leftovers.
In winter, close off unused rooms to conserve heat, layer up, and never use a gas stove, oven or outdoor heater indoors for heat — that's a carbon monoxide risk. In summer heat, stay hydrated and move to the coolest part of the home. Have working flashlights (safer than candles) and fresh batteries on hand.
If you use a portable generator, run it outside only, well away from windows, doors and vents — never in a garage, basement or enclosed space, even with the door open. Generator carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of outage-related deaths. Have working CO detectors, and let the generator cool before refuelling.
Turn appliances and electronics back on gradually rather than all at once to avoid overloading the restored circuit. Check the fridge and freezer and apply food-safety rules. Reset clocks, and check that the furnace, sump pump and any critical systems have restarted properly — a sump pump that didn't restart can lead to a flooded basement.
Keep flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, water and non-perishable food on hand. Consider surge protectors for valuable electronics, and for frequent outages, a home battery or standby generator (professionally installed) keeps critical systems running. On Genie you can book an electrician for surge protection, generator or home-battery setup.
A closed fridge keeps food safe for several hours, and a full freezer for a day or more. Keep the doors closed as much as possible, and when in doubt about perishables when power returns, throw it out.
Only outside, well away from windows, doors and vents — never in a garage, basement or enclosed space. Generator carbon monoxide poisoning is a leading cause of outage deaths. Keep working CO detectors.
Turn things on gradually to avoid overload, apply food-safety rules to the fridge and freezer, and confirm the furnace, sump pump and critical systems restarted — a sump pump that didn't restart can flood a basement.