Dealing with Power Outages in Edmonton

Albertans have grown accustomed to the luxuries of modern life, like flowing water and hydro that brings light into our homes at a flick of a switch. However, given the increasing severity of seasonal storms in Alberta, there’s a good likelihood that you will experience a power outage at some point. It can be unsettling, hectic, and even dangerous if you’re not properly prepared for when power lines are blown down and there’s no telling how long it’ll take for the power to come back on.

Since our founding in 1965, Drayden Insurance Ltd. has been helping Albertans ‘prepare’ for damaging instances like a power outage, it’s one of the reasons we have more than 30,000 satisfied clients across eight locations in Alberta. To continue in the line of service, here’s some tips on how to deal with a power outage – before, during, and after.

Before the power goes out: Invest in a generator, it makes things a little easier when it comes to keeping some lights on, charging your phone, running a space heater, and preventing costly food spoilage. Having an alternative heat source like a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater can keep you nice and warm in winter. You’ll also want to have access to at least three days’ worth of supplies for each member of your household including pets. And a seasonal (winter/summer) emergency kit.

When the power is out: check to see if there’s a problem with your own breaker panel or fuse box, and take a look around at your neighbors’ houses to check if their power is out too. If so, contact your hydro company to report the problem. While you wait for the heat to come back on:

• Unplug appliances in case there’s a surge when the power comes back on.
• Stay together, put on layers (winter), and snuggle up on the couch with your partner, kids, or pets and get warmer together.
• Leave your freezer and fridge doors closed to keep food from spoiling during the power outage.
• Be sure you carefully read the instructions for your generator or alternative heat source before turning it on, i.e. don’t use indoors, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning inside your home.

When power returns: Restock your emergency supplies. If perishable foods like meat, seafood, milk, or leftovers have been exposed to temperatures higher than 5°C for longer than two hours, it’s best to toss them. Take some time to inspect your home for any damage that might have been caused while the power was out, like frozen pipes, damage to your roof, or flooding in your basement.

If you discover damage or a problem, contact Drayden Insurance – your home insurance policy could cover the cost of groceries that spoil in your fridge or freezer during a power outage, as well as those repairs, and the additional living expenses you incur if you need to stay somewhere else in the meantime. To learn more about how your home insurance can protect you in the event of a power outage or nasty winter or summer storm, contact one of Drayden’s licensed insurance brokers at 780-482-6300 in Edmonton today.