Ice storms, blizzards, high winds: outages are part of life in Quebec. Here’s what to do — and above all what NOT to do — to stay safe and limit the damage.
Whole house, or just one circuit?
First, figure out the scope. Is the neighbourhood dark too? It’s a grid outage — report it to Hydro-Québec. Only your place? Check your main breaker: if it tripped, that’s a signal (often an overload or fault to investigate). One room without power? It’s probably a circuit breaker or a tripped GFCI outlet.
During the outage
✅ Report it
Use Hydro-Québec’s Info-pannes (site or app) to report and track restoration.
✅ Keep the cold in
Don’t open the fridge/freezer needlessly: closed, it holds for hours.
✅ Unplug the sensitive
Unplug computers, TVs and appliances to protect them from the surge when power returns.
✅ Lower the heat
Turn thermostats down: on restoration, everything restarts at once and can trip the main breaker.
✅ Light safely
Flashlights and battery LED lamps — avoid candles (fire risk).
✅ Keep a reserve
Water, batteries, charger, first-aid kit: in winter, plan for a few days.
What you must NEVER do
- Never run a BBQ, camp stove or generator indoors (or in the garage, even with the door open): carbon monoxide kills in minutes.
- Never plug a “homemade” generator into an outlet: the current can feed back into the grid and electrocute Hydro line workers. A generator connects only through a transfer panel.
- Never approach a downed wire: keep your distance and call 911 / Hydro-Québec.
Restore gently
Plug your devices back in one by one, not all at once. Check the freezer contents (throw out anything thawed and warmed). If part of the house stays without power while the neighbourhood is back — or a breaker refuses to hold — don’t force it: there’s a cause to diagnose, call us.
The basic emergency kit
Light & power
LED flashlights, spare batteries, a portable power bank for the phone, a battery radio.
Comfort & warmth
Warm blankets, layered clothing, bottled water (2 L per person per day), non-perishable food.
Essentials
First-aid kit, medications, some cash (card terminals don’t work without power).
Protecting the home when it drags on
If the outage stretches on in cold weather, two priorities: keep the heat (close off unused rooms, seal air leaks, gather in one room) and protect the plumbing from freezing. For that: open the cabinets under sinks to let warm air circulate, and let a thin trickle of water run at the taps — moving water freezes more slowly. A burst frozen pipe costs far more than a dripping faucet.
Never suffer outages again
Real peace of mind is a properly installed standby generator, with a transfer panel. We assess your needs and connect it all by the book. See our generator guide. CMEQ · RBQ certified, serving Greater Montréal, Laval and the North Shore.
Ready for the next storm?
We equip you to ride out outages stress-free. Free quote.
Your questions about outages
How do I know if the outage is mine or the grid’s?+
See whether the neighbourhood is also dark and check Hydro-Québec’s Info-pannes. Check your main breaker: if it tripped, the problem is at your place.
How long does food last in the fridge?+
A closed fridge keeps cold about 4 hours; a full freezer, 24 to 48 hours. Only open the door if necessary.
Can I plug a generator into an outlet?+
No, never. The current can feed back into the grid and endanger Hydro line workers. A generator connects only through a transfer panel.
Why not use a generator in the garage?+
Because of carbon monoxide, deadly and odourless. A portable generator is used outdoors, away from doors and windows.
What if a circuit stays dead after the outage?+
Don’t force the breaker. A part of the house that stays without power indicates a cause to diagnose — have it checked.
How do I keep my pipes from freezing during an outage?+
Keep the home as warm as possible, open the cabinets under sinks so air circulates, and let a thin trickle of water run: moving water freezes less easily.
How long can a major outage last?+
From a few hours to several days during an ice storm or big storm, which is why a standby generator is valuable for prolonged outages.
What does a portable generator power?+
Depending on its size: the essentials (fridge, some lights, chargers, sump pump). For heating or the whole house, you need a bigger generator and a transfer panel.
