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Managing Your Electrical Usage
Power Outages
 These can result from technical problems within the system - an overheated transformer, for
instance - and can affect a few square blocks to a much broader area. Power outages can also
result from natural phenomena like ice or snow storms and high winds that snap tree limbs that
then fall and sever power lines. On rare occasions Mother Nature can wreak havoc on the provincial
transmission grid, causing blackouts in large areas at once.
People who dig before they call to find out where underground wires might be, can also cause power
outages. Whatever the cause, Brantford Power is as close as your telephone, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
During business hours: (8:30am to 4:30pm), call us at: (519) 756-1360
Outside of normal business hours, call us at: (519)752-0422
How to Prepare for a Power Outage
Be prepared for prolonged power outages by having a Survival Kit on hand. Brantford Power has compiled the list below:
Survival Kit
Store the following items where you can easily find them
- Flashlight (one for each person)
- Extra bulbs
- Portable Radio
- Extra Batteries
- Candles and Matches or Lighter
- First Aid Kit
What to do in the Event of a Power Outage
- Check your fuse or breaker box for blown fuses or tripped circuits. If they are okay, see if neighbors
are without power.
- Call your utility immediately. You may be asked for information, or hear a message if the situation has
already been reported. 9-1-1 is for reporting emergencies ONLY.
- Turn off all electrical equipment to prevent overloading the system when power is restored.
This includes computers, micro-wave ovens, TVs and VCRs.
- Leave a couple of lamps turned on so you will know when power has returned and don't disconnect the stove,
refrigerator or freezer.
- When the electricity comes back,
turn on only the essential appliances, one at a time, and wait half an hour before plugging in the rest.
- Turn on a porch light and one inside light so you and utility crews will know when service is restored.
- Listen to the radio (battery-powered) for updates on major electrical outages.
- If your neighbors' power comes back on, but yours does not, call your utility company again.
- During extremes of outside temperature, keep windows closed as much as possible to maintain a comfortable
indoor temperature.
What do you do with refrigerated foods if the power goes out.
- Keep the refrigerator closed. Refrigerated food should be safe for about four
hours, but milk, dairy products, eggs, meats and all cooked foods spoil quickly.
Throw them out if the temperature rises above 40 degrees for two hours or more. The
risk of food poisoning is never worth the cost of the food.
Remember, when in doubt, throw it out!
- Keep your freezer closed! A full, freestanding freezer will stay at freezing temperatures about
two days without power, a half-full freezer about one day. If the freezer is not full, quickly move packages
together to insulate them and keep them as cold as possible.
- You can safely refreeze food if it still contains ice crystals, has not exceeded 40 degrees for
two hours or more, or if it has been held at 40 degrees no more than two days. Don't taste food with
odd odor or color. Also, if it isn't safe for you, it's not safe for your pet.
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