How to get your home ready for a power outage

Ice storms, blizzards, torrential rain, high winds — they often bring power outages along for the ride. Here’s how to be ready, whether the lights are out for an hour or a few days.

Before the outage

If you’ve got backup heat that runs on a stove or fireplace, keep the chimney properly maintained. If it’s a dual-fuel system, keep a supply of gas or oil on hand.

A portable generator can also cover your needs during an outage. Pick one that can run the essentials — a space heater, the fridge. Set it up outside, away from windows, to avoid carbon monoxide and fire risk. And check with your broker that your policy covers all this.

It’s also smart to put an emergency plan in writing. It’ll tell you what to do when something goes wrong. Go through it with your family so you’re ready together, and keep key documents — birth certificates, passports, wills, financial papers, insurance policies — in a waterproof container.

The Government of Canada has an online tool to help you build your plan.
You’ll want basics on hand to get through an outage, so keep an emergency kit stocked and within easy reach.

It should include:

• Non-perishable food — canned goods, granola bars, dehydrated meals — plus water in easy-to-carry bottles.
• A manual can opener.
• A hand-crank or battery-powered flashlight.
• A hand-crank or battery-powered radio.
• Spare batteries.
• A lighter or matches.
• Emergency candles.
• A portable charger for your devices.
• Warm blankets.
• A first-aid kit.
• Must-haves for your household — prescription medication, baby formula, anything needed for people with special needs.
• Spare car and house keys.
• Cash and change.
• A copy of your emergency plan and the numbers to call in an emergency.

During the outage

Check whether it’s just you or the whole neighbourhood with Hydro-Québec’s Info-Outages tool (if you’ve got cell service). It’ll also estimate how long the outage might last.

Unplug your appliances to guard against a power surge. Run any space heater or generator exactly as the manufacturer directs. If you’re using a fuel-burning heater (wood, oil or gas), make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

Keep the fridge and freezer closed as much as you can to hold the cold.

And never cook with propane appliances indoors — barbecues and camp stoves are for outside, always.

If you have to leave, Hydro-Québec recommends shutting off the main water supply. Unplug your electronics and make sure fireplaces, stoves and ranges are off.

If it’s winter and you’re heading out, switch off the water heater breaker. Close the main shut-off valve and drain the hot and cold water lines throughout the house, including the washing machine and dishwasher.

After the outage

If you had to leave, wait for the authorities’ go-ahead before heading back. Then check for damage: water in through the roof, a flooded basement, broken branches.

If the power was out for a while, go through the fridge and freezer. Toss perishables from the fridge after six hours without power; frozen food stays safe for about 24 hours. The Quebec government website has the details.

After an outage that ran several hours or days, call your broker to ask about filing a claim — some damage, like spoiled food, may be covered. One tip: photograph the contents of your fridge and freezer before you throw anything out, so you’ve got proof for your claim.

You can also file right from the Intact Insurance app — just a few taps.

Better safe than sorry
There’s no telling how much damage rough weather can do. Being ready for an outage keeps the surprises to a minimum — and it’s exactly why a valid home insurance policy matters so much.

Questions about your coverage, or need to file a claim? Your broker is just a call away — we’re here whenever you need us.