Safety first

Report it! Never go near or touch a fallen power line. Always assume that the line or anything it is in contact with is energized. Stay at least 10 meters (33 feet) away at all times and do not attempt to remove debris surrounding the line.

  • If you see a fallen power line, report the exact location to 1.888.POWERON (1.888.769.3766).

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless gas in the engine exhaust of a generator and BBQs. You may not smell the exhaust but could still be exposed to CO, so never use them indoors.

If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous, get a headache or feel tired while using a generator, get fresh air immediately and seek medical attention.

Preparing For An Outage

  • Have an emergency plan, your grab & go bag and your emergency kit ready.
  • Choose manual equipment like basic can openers, non-electric phones, battery, wind-up or solar-powered radios, and a handsaw for your emergency kit.
  • Have safe, stable sources of light, such as flashlights, in your emergency kits.
  • People who rely on life-sustaining equipment should contact their local health provider and consider purchasing or arranging to rent a small generator on a priority basis.
  • Stock up on fuel for barbecues and camp stoves. Store appliances and fuel safely and use outdoors only.
  • Run portable generators every other month for 10 minutes to ensure they operate correctly. Maintain a fresh supply of fuel as fuel can go bad after a period of time and will affect the reliability of the generator operation.
  • If you have an electric garage door opener, learn how to open the garage door manually. Follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.

During An Outage

  • Check whether the power failure is limited to your home. If your neighbour’s power is still on, check your circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
  • Call BC Hydro at 1.888.POWERON (1.888.769.3766) or *HYDRO (*49376) on your cell phone. Tell them about the outage so they can send the right crews and equipment to the correct location.
  • Check the BC Hydro website and tune into your local radio station for storm and power outage updates. 
  • Turn off all appliances, including home computers and peripherals, especially those that generate heat. This helps prevent hazards or damage when service is restored. Use surge protectors to protect sensitive electrical equipment such as computers, DVD players and TVs.
  • Turn off all lights except for one inside your home and one outside. The inside light lets you know, and the outside light lets BC Hydro crews know, when the power is back on.

 

Portable Generator Safety Precautions

  • Never use a portable generator indoors, including inside a garage or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
  • Only operate portable generators outdoors and at a location where the exhaust cannot enter your home or other buildings through doors or windows.
  • If you start to feel dizzy, nausea, a headache or tired while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention.
  • Install a CO alarm in your home
  • Never plug a portable generator into a regular household electrical outlet as it can cause fire and back-feeding to the BC Hydro electrical grid and cause electrocution to utility workers, your neighbours and your household.
  • Plug appliances directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated, CSA-approved 3-pronged extension cord in good condition.
  • Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) portable extension cord if using the portable generator to power electrical tools for outdoor use.
  • Keep the generator dry and protected with a tarp when using in rain and snow.
  • Learn how to use your generator before you need it. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended usage.

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