What to Do During a Power Outage: A Practical Guide for Canadian Homes

Quick answer: When the power goes out, work in this order: (1) unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from a surge when power returns, (2) keep the fridge and freezer closed (a full freezer holds a safe temperature for roughly 48 hours, a fridge for about 4 hours), (3) in winter, watch for frozen pipe risk if your home cools toward freezing, and (4) leave one light switched on so you know the moment power is restored. Most outages are short, but planning for 72 hours is the standard recommendation for Canadian homes.

Why the First Few Minutes Matter More Than the Flashlight

A blackout is rarely the disaster people picture. It is usually a few dark hours and a scramble to find a flashlight. But the difference between a minor inconvenience and a costly one often comes down to a handful of decisions made in the first few minutes, and one or two winter-specific risks most guides skip entirely.

Here is a practical order of operations, plus the things Canadian homeowners actually get wrong.

1. The first 60 seconds: protect your electronics

Most people reach for a light first. The higher-value move is to unplug sensitive electronics, computers, TVs, and anything with a circuit board. The surge that can occur when power is restored often causes more damage than the outage itself. If you would rather not think about it every time, a whole-home surge protector handles this automatically.

2. Know your food-safety clock

“Keep the door closed” is good advice, but the real question is how long your food is safe. General guidance is:

Refrigerator: food stays safe for about 4 hours if the door stays closed.
Full freezer: holds a safe temperature for roughly 48 hours.
Half-full freezer: roughly 24 hours.

The winter loophole: if it is below freezing outside, a sealed cooler on a porch or in a garage is a legitimate backup for perishables. Keep it secured from animals. When in doubt about any food, throw it out.

3. The winter risk that matters most: frozen pipes

For Canadian homes, the costliest outcome of a long winter outage is usually not spoiled food. It is frozen pipes. If your home loses heat during a prolonged outage and the indoor temperature is dropping toward freezing, shut off your main water supply and open your faucets to drain the lines. A burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in water damage, so this one step can matter more than everything else on this list.

4. When a generator is actually worth it

A generator is not the right answer for everyone. It makes the most sense if:

Outages in your area are frequent or tend to last more than a few hours.
You have a sump pump and a basement flooding risk during storms.
Someone in your home relies on powered medical equipment.

A standby generator is permanently installed and can power essentials like your heating, sump pump, and fridge automatically when an outage hits. If you are weighing whether one is right for your home, our team can help you understand what size fits your needs.

5. Have these basics ready before you need them

Keep a simple kit somewhere everyone in the household can find it:

Flashlights and spare batteries (safer than candles, which are a fire risk).
Charged power banks for phones.
A 72-hour supply of water and non-perishable food.
A printed list of emergency contacts, in case your phone dies.
Warm layers and blankets for winter outages.

After the power comes back

Restore your electronics one at a time rather than all at once, check that your heating system has restarted correctly, and inspect for any water around appliances or in the basement. If your furnace, water heater, or other equipment will not restart, our licensed technicians can help. Reliance offers 24/7/365 live phone support, and as-soon-as same-day repairs when you need them.