In Quebec, almost everyone has a memory of the 1998 ice storm. From January 5 to 9, 1998, freezing rain coated the southwest of the province in ice, with accumulations reaching 78 mm. According to Hydro-Québec, some 24,000 poles and 1,500 towers were crushed or toppled, and nearly 1.4 million homes were left without power at the height of the crisis, some for days, in the middle of January.
We would like to think it is ancient history. Yet in April 2023, another ice storm cut power to about 1.1 million Hydro-Québec customers at the peak of the outages. Both events teach the same lesson: an outage can last much longer than expected, the cold quickly becomes the real danger, and unsafe heating habits injure as many people as the storm itself.
The good news is that you can prepare very well for a long outage, without complicated equipment. Here is what to do before, during and after a winter outage to keep your home warm and, above all, safe. To go further, our Energy Crisis Survival Guide brings all these steps together in a clear plan adapted to Quebec's climate.
Before the outage: prepare your home and family
Preparation is done calmly, ideally before the first deep freeze. The Government of Québec recommends following MétéoCAN alerts, charging phones and devices as soon as severe weather is announced, and keeping your family emergency plan up to date.
If you have a wood stove or fireplace, it is a real asset, as long as it is well maintained: have any non-electric heating appliance inspected every year by a qualified person, have the chimney swept and keep a supply of dry wood. For any backup heater, choose only a certified model designed for indoor use, and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
- ☐ A certified carbon monoxide alarm with battery backup, ideally in the hallway near the bedrooms
- ☐ Flashlights, spare batteries and a battery-powered radio
- ☐ Candles, a lighter or matches, and warm blankets
- ☐ A fondue burner and its fuel
- ☐ A supply of drinking water and food that keeps without refrigeration
- ☐ Enough essential medication
- ☐ The Hydro-Québec Info-pannes (outage) app, MétéoCAN and Québec 511 installed
- ☐ Registration for your municipality's citizen alert system
- ☐ Hydro-Québec's outage number written on paper: 1 800 790-2424
To gather everything in one place, our home survival kit is a good base to complete with items specific to your family.
During the outage: the first steps
When the power goes out, a few simple actions protect your appliances and help you stay in control.
- Check how widespread the outage is in Info-pannes to see whether your area is affected and follow the restoration.
- Turn off appliances that were running: stove, kettle, washer, dryer, dishwasher.
- Unplug electronic devices to protect them from power surges when the power comes back.
- Leave one light switched on on each floor: you will know right away when the power is back.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. According to the Government of Québec, food stays cold for about 4 to 6 hours in the fridge, and a full freezer in good condition can keep it for up to 48 hours.
- Stay informed with a battery-powered radio and updates from your municipality and Urgence Québec.
A clear plan for days without power
The Energy Crisis Survival Guide ($11.99) walks you through it step by step: preparing your home, safe heating, food and organizing your days without electricity.
Staying warm: gather the family in one room
When the outage drags on, the best strategy is to heat less space. Gather the family in a single room, preferably the one with the wood stove, or a central room with few windows.
- ☐ Close the doors of unused rooms
- ☐ Block drafts under doors with rolled-up towels
- ☐ Cover windows with blankets or heavy curtains; open them during the day on the sunny side
- ☐ Dress in several layers, with a tuque and warm socks
- ☐ Drink hot beverages and eat regularly
- ☐ Sleep together in the same room, under several blankets
Long winter evenings are easier with steady light. Our 55-hour survival candles are designed to last, but like any flame, they require care: a stable surface, away from curtains and children, never left unattended. Keep battery-powered lamps for moving around at night.
Watch for signs of hypothermia, such as intense shivering, confusion or severe drowsiness. If in doubt, call Info-Santé 811 (health line); in an emergency, dial 911. If the house gets too cold, ask your municipality about open shelters or warming centres.
Carbon monoxide and generators: the non-negotiable rules
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless gas that is impossible to detect without an alarm. Public health authorities repeat the same advice at every major outage, because people can be poisoned simply by trying to keep warm. Headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and dizziness are among the possible symptoms.
The advice from Health Canada and the Government of Québec is clear:
- Never use an outdoor fuel-burning appliance indoors: barbecue, camping stove or heater, propane or gasoline appliances, not in the house, the garage or the shed.
- Never heat your home with a gas stove.
- Never leave a vehicle running in the garage, even with the door open.
- Clear vents after a storm: dryer, furnace, fireplace and stove vents.
- Test your CO alarm regularly. A smoke detector does not detect CO.
If the alarm goes off or someone has symptoms, get out immediately, without looking for the source. Once outside, dial 911 and do not go back in, even for a few minutes, without a firefighter's permission.
Generators: outdoors only
- ☐ Have it installed by a specialist and read the manufacturer's instructions
- ☐ Place it outside, at least 6 metres from any building according to Health Canada, with the exhaust away from doors and windows
- ☐ Never in the basement, garage or shed, even with the door open
- ☐ Before connecting anything, switch the home's main breaker to "off"
- ☐ Use CSA-approved extension cords and respect its capacity
- ☐ Shut it off for one hour every eight hours, and let it cool before refuelling
Protect your pipes from freezing
After several days without heat, pipes can freeze and burst, adding water damage to the outage. If you stay home, keep an eye on pipes along exterior walls and in the basement. If you have to leave, the Government of Québec recommends that you:
- ☐ Shut off the main electrical supply and turn off the heating
- ☐ Shut off the main water valve and drain the plumbing
- ☐ Pour antifreeze into the toilet bowl and tank, and into sink drains
- ☐ Remove containers that could burst when frozen
- ☐ Make arrangements for your pets
Vulnerable people first
Babies and people who are elderly, ill or have reduced mobility tolerate cold much less well. They should be at the centre of your plan.
- Electric medical equipment: have a backup power source at all times and agree in advance on a place to stay with your loved ones.
- Medication that must be kept cold: if it has not been kept cold, do not take it; bring it back to the pharmacy.
- Neighbours and relatives who live alone: check on them and offer your help.
- Mental health: Info-Social, at 811 option 2, offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
To build a plan that takes everyone into account, our free video course (18 short lessons, 35 minutes) that walks you through creating your family emergency plan is currently available in French only. Join the list to be notified when the English version launches.
After the outage: a gradual return
- Turn appliances back on gradually, then wait until the temperature is back to normal before plugging electronic devices back in.
- If you had left the house, make sure the water heater is full before restoring power, and do not turn the gas back on yourself: call a specialist.
- Open the main water valve and the taps to bleed air from the pipes.
- Sort through the fridge and freezer. After an outage of more than 6 hours, check the quality of your food. When in doubt, throw it out.
- Restock your kit and note what you were missing.
The Government of Québec summarizes this advice on its power outage page, which is worth bookmarking.
Frequently asked questions
Can I heat with my barbecue or camping stove if it is very cold?
No, never. These appliances give off carbon monoxide, a deadly gas you can neither see nor smell. Use only a heater certified for indoor use, a well-maintained wood stove, or go to a shelter.
How long will my food keep?
About 4 to 6 hours in a closed fridge, and up to 48 hours in a full freezer in good condition, according to the Government of Québec. Open them as little as possible.
How do I know when the power will be restored?
Hydro-Québec's Info-pannes shows current outages and restoration progress. You can also call 1 800 790-2424.
Should I leave the house if the outage lasts several days?
Yes, if the house gets too cold, if a vulnerable person is at risk or if the authorities ask you to. Shut off the electricity, turn off the heating and protect the pipes before you leave.
Conclusion: peace of mind starts with preparation
Quebec winters have taught us that a major outage can happen without much warning. A working CO alarm, a room that is easy to keep warm and a plan the whole family knows turn a stressful situation into a few difficult but manageable days.
To have every step at hand, get the Energy Crisis Survival Guide ($11.99). And to cover every risk, from flooding to winter driving, the Family Fortress Collection brings together our 9 guides for $49.99 instead of $116.91. All our guides are available in English or French.
0 comments