Safety
Power Outages
If your power has gone out or you're having trouble with your electricity, call our outage/after hours phone number:
519-323-1710
___________
We're available 24 hours a day.
If you're having a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
Do not approach a downed power line. Keep a distance of least 10 metres and call your local hydro office and 911
Safety Videos
Danger of Tampering with Electrical Equipment
Some electrical utility equipment is located on the ground, such as locked steel cabinets (“green boxes”) that contain transformers. Transformers are part of our electricity system.
Transformers convert voltage from our electricity system into a level suitable for your home. A large amount of energy is stored in transformers!
Opening, touching, or removing contents of electrical equipment is very dangerous. You could be seriously hurt or killed. It is important to stay informed and do not tamper with electrical equipment.
How Close Can You Come to Downed Overhead Power lines?
Overhead power lines are a necessary component of our electricity distribution system.
These power lines carry high voltage electricity and can cause serious harm if anyone gets too close to them.
Downed overhead power lines can be caused by storms, ice, equipment failure, or vehicle accidents.
If you see a downed overhead powerline, stay a minimum of 10 metres or 33 feet (the length of a school bus) away from downed overhead power lines. Call 911 immediately and then call your Local Distribution Company.
How Close Can You Come to Overhead Powerlines with Your Body or an Object?
Look up, look out and locate powerlines
When cleaning eavestroughs and windows, working on the roof, painting the house or pruning trees. Always have a signaller – someone who can watch to make sure you stay at least 3 metres away from the powerline
Keep your distance from overhead powerlines, 3-6 metres (10-20 feet) minimum.
You don’t have to touch a powerline to receive a deadly shock. Electricity can jump or “arc” to you or your tools if you get too close.
For more information, please visit the ESA website.
Actions Taken in a Vehicle that has Contacted with Overhead Wires
Know what to do; stay inside a vehicle that has come into contact with overhead wires until the power is disconneced (unless you see a flame)!
You must shuffle at least a distance of 10 metres (33 feet; at least the size of one full school bus) from the downed powerline or anything in contact with it; like the car, or a fence, until you can walk normally. Keep everyone at least that far away!
Overhead wires carry fatal amounts of electricity. If your vehicle has come into contact with an overhead wire, stay in the vehicle until the power is disconnected. Even if you see smoke, stay in the vehicle.
However, if you see a flame, you will need to get out away from the risk of fire and exit safely.
- Move to the side of the vehicle that is clear of the powerline if you can.
- Open the door and perch on the edge of the vehicle. Make yourself small enough to jump through the opening without touching the vehicle or door.
- Jump clear of the vehicle and land with both feet together. Then, shuffle away with both feet touching.
- You must shuffle at least a distance of 10 metres (33 feet; at least the size of one full school bus) from the downed powerline or anything in contact with it; like the car, or a fence, until you can walk normally. Keep everyone at least that far away!