• Utility outages can last for minutes, hours, days, or even weeks. They can be caused by severe weather such as snow storms, rain storms, high winds, or when there is too much demand placed on the electrical grid.
• With a utility outage may be without heating, hot water, or electricity. It’s important to be prepared.
• A gas leak is the unintentional release of natural gas from pipelines, tanks, or appliances, often identified by a rotten egg odour, hissing sound, or dead vegetation.
• A gas outage is the interruption of supply, usually resulting from maintenance or repairs to infrastructure, such as fixing a leak.
• A power outage, is a short or long term loss of electric power in a specific area. It can range from a localized incident affecting one building to widespread outages spanning entire regions.
• A water outage is a temporary or permanent, planned or unplanned, loss of water pressure and supply to a building, residence or area. It results in little to no water flow at taps, typically resulting from broken pipes, infrastructure failures, or maintenance.

• Put together an emergency kit for your home with essential supplies such as non-perishable food, water, batteries, flashlights, and other items in case of an emergency.
• Create an emergency action plan for your household.
• Know the location of all shutoff valves in your home.
• Schedule regular inspections for your natural gas appliances, furnace(s), vents and chimney to ensure they are functioning safely.
• If you have indoor gas lines and a meter, keep them unobstructed at all times.
• Learn how to correctly operate your natural gas appliances such as furnace, hot water heater, BBQ, and fireplace.
• Ensure you have a working Carbon Monoxide detector.
• Put together an emergency kit with essential supplies such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, and batteries to get you through the first few days of an emergency.

Power Outage

• Check with neighbours to see if the power outage is only affecting your home.
• Report a power outage​ or a downed power line to the ENMAX Power Trouble Line at 403-514-6100. If only your home is affected, check the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
• Turn off or disconnect any electrical appliances and equipment to prevent damage from overload when power is restored.
• Keep a cell phone handy to stay informed on the status of the power outage. Alternatively, use a battery-powered or wind-up radio for information.
• Do not use camp stoves, kerosene heaters or barbeques indoors - they emit carbon monoxide, a dangerous and potentially deadly gas​.
• Gas stoves used as a heat source for long periods of time without ventilation can also produce carbon monoxide.
• Limit how often you open your refrigerator and freezer doors to help keep food cold. You can also use a cooler filled with ice or snow as an alternative way to keep food cool during a power outage.

Gas Leak

• Evacuate Immediately: leave the building immediately and do not turn light switches on or off, use a phone, or create a spark.
• Call for help: contact your utility provider or 911 once you are in a safe location. ATCO Gas Emergency Line at 1-800-511-3447
• Do not attempt repairs: leave fixing to qualified professionals to avoid risk.

Gas outage

• Keep your home from cooling down: close blinds and drapes, avoid opening doors, and put on extra layers of clothing.
• Be cautious when using other sources of heat:
• Avoid wood fireplaces (you need to open a nearby window). Indoor electric heaters are safe to use. Learn more about safe electrical and gas appliance use.
• Fuel burning appliances emit carbon monoxide - a clear, colorless, and odorless gas that can cause illness or death. Never use fuel-burning appliances inside, this includes: barbecues, generators, camp stoves, kerosene heaters

Water outage

• Turn off all the faucets to prevent damage to them when service resumes
• Use bottled water for essential needs
• Pour water into the toilet bowl to flush manually
• Check official city channels to locate water wagon locations
• Use hand sanitizer for hand hygiene

• Once power is restored, turn on only the most essential appliances first. Wait 10 to 15 minutes before reconnecting other appliances.
• Check the fridge, freezer and cupboards for spoiled food.
• If the power is out for more than 48 hours, all perishable items in the fridge should be thrown out. 
• Check in on neighbours, family and friends
• Contact your gas provider and follow their Instructions.
• Ensure adequate inspections have been conducted before turning the gas back on. 
• Check in on neighbours
• Run cold water for at least five minutes to clear water pipes
• Check your appliances 

• ENMAX preparedness
• ATCO
• Your personal guide to emergency preparedness
• Water outages and main breaks