Toronto Hydro explains how to stay emergency prepared and safe from power lines

Civil Protection Week runs from May 5 to 11. Power Line Safety Week runs from May 13-19.

TORONTO, May 9, 2024 /CNW/ – Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week is May 5-11, followed by Power Line Safety Week May 13-19, and Toronto Hydro is sharing information to help customers stay prepared in case of emergency and to protect themselves from power lines.

Emergency situations such as extreme weather events can occur at any time and risk prolonged power outages. In the event of an outage, it is important that customers are as prepared as possible to keep themselves and their loved ones safe while crews work to resolve safety issues and restore power.

To help customers stay prepared in the event of an emergency, Toronto Hydro reminds its customers:

• Always have a well-stocked 72-hour emergency kit with water and non-perishable food items for everyone in your household; first aid items and medicines; and basic tools and supplies, such as a flashlight, batteries, and a power bank to charge small electronic devices like cell phones.

• Become familiar with available online tools to stay informed and connected during an extended outage

• Register those who rely on electrical medical equipment, such as a ventilator or kidney dialysis machine, in Toronto Hydro’s survival notification program.

• Update emergency phone numbers

Extreme weather events can also cause trees and branches to fall onto power lines and create hazardous conditions. While power lines are one of the most important types of utility equipment, they are also one of the most dangerous. Below are tips for staying safe around downed power lines:

• Stay at least 10 meters away from downed power lines (the length of a school bus)

• Always assume the wire is live and potentially dangerous

• Report downed wires to Toronto Hydro at 416 542-8000 or call 911.

Toronto Hydro is committed to keeping our customers safe at home, at work and in the city. For more information, please visit torontohydro.com/safety.

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FAST FACTS

• PE Week is a national awareness initiative aimed at encouraging Canadians to take steps to better prepare for emergencies.

• Toronto Hydro offers an EP guide available in 10 languages, with advice on what to do before, during and after a power outage.

• According to a recent survey, more than half of our customers have an emergency kit at home, but only 13% of customers have a fully stocked 72-hour emergency kit.

• Powerline Safety Week is an annual campaign led by the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and local utilities like Toronto Hydro to raise awareness of the risks posed by power lines.

• According to the ESA, contact with a power line is one of the leading causes of electricity-related deaths in Europe. Ontario

QUOTE

“Extreme weather conditions can occur at any time and lead to prolonged power outages and other safety-related issues. Throughout the year, Toronto Hydro is committed to sharing information to help customers prepare for emergencies and protect themselves and their loved ones from the risks associated with downed power lines. »

Daniel McNeilcompany spokesperson, Toronto Hydro

ABOUT TORONTO HYDRO

Toronto Hydro is a holding company that wholly owns two subsidiaries:

• Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (THESL) – distributes electricity; And

• Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. – provides street lighting and highway lighting services in the City of Toronto

The primary business of Toronto Hydro and its subsidiaries is the distribution of electricity through THESL, which owns and operates the electricity distribution system in Canada’s largest city. Recognized as a Sustainable Electricity Leader™ by Electricity Canada, it has approximately 794,000 customers located in the city of Toronto and distributes approximately 17 percent of the electricity consumed in Ontario.

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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation

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