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Power outages can happen when you least expect them and can cause frustration and anxiety. In today’s society, we rely so heavily on consistent access to power that going without it, even for a short period, is less than ideal.
The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to stay connected even if the grid goes completely dark. If you deal with frequent outages in Toronto or are just looking for a way to prepare for a larger-scale outage, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about how you can stay connected with EcoFlow’s products.
How Do I Check the Status of My Power Outage in Toronto?
- Visit TorontoHydro.com
This website is a great tool to keep bookmarked as it provides real-time updates of any outages in your area. You can visit the map or check a list of areas that have reported an outage to see if what you’re experiencing has already been reported.
- Call Toronto Hydro
If your internet is down or you’re unable to access the web, call 416-542-8000 to contact Toronto Hydro. You’ll be given a series of prompts that will give you more information about how long the outage in your area is expected to last. This phone number leads you to an automated system available 24/7 to check in on outages as often as you need.
- Check Social Media
Social media is great for looking for power outage updates when all else fails. Local news stations and even Toronto Hydro have social media accounts that are updated as soon as more information is available about the outage. Be sure to follow all of these accounts and keep a close eye on any updates they provide.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Power Outages in Toronto?
Severe Weather
One of Toronto’s most common causes of power outages is severe weather. With drastic cold fronts and intense winds, the power grid can quickly be impacted and go down until the weather subsides and electrical workers have a chance to address the issue.
Severe weather can be intimidating, but there’s usually enough time to prepare ahead of a storm. Pay close attention to local news stations to see if there is a chance of an outage, and pay attention to the tips we give below on staying safe during an outage.
Downed trees and power lines are relatively common during intense storms, and you must keep yourself and any family members far away from harm. During the severe weather and its aftermath, keep you and your family indoors and away from potential hazards. Keep a close eye on local news stations to see when the weather will subside and when it’s safe to explore the surrounding areas around your home.
Grid Overload
With population and technological advancements rising, the grid is increasingly overloaded in many big cities, including Toronto. We’re expanding at a faster rate than the grid currently allows, which means outages are somewhat inevitable from time to time.
Grid failure often occurs when energy demand suddenly spikes—something that frequently happens during heatwaves or cold snaps, as more people rely heavily on electricity to stay comfortable and safe.
Equipment Failure
Equipment can fail in power grids, resulting in a larger-scale outage for a street or even an entire neighbourhood. Transformers and cables exposed to outdoor conditions have a shelf life and can fall or collapse without proper maintenance. Overloaded circuits can also fail and cause an outage after an extended period of overuse.
Keep an eye on any cables or transformers near your home and report any concerns to local authorities to lessen your chances of an outage due to equipment failure.
How To Stay Safe During a Toronto Power Outage
Keep Your Essentials Powered
Your fridge, air conditioning or heater, phones, and security systems are all essential devices that would be rendered useless without the proper backup power source during an outage. EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station can easily supply power to your essential units to ensure you and your family stay safe and comfortable until power is restored.
Preserve Food and Water
Widespread power outages can last for days, so make sure you have plenty of food and water if this were to happen. As mentioned above, keeping your essentials powered up with devices like the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Series Solar Generator (PV160W) is in your best interest to ensure consistent access to food and water during the outage. Keeping non-perishable items on hand for these unexpected times is always a great idea.
Have a Portable Charger on Hand
Staying connected and having a way to learn updates regarding power outages is incredibly important and will help give you some peace of mind during an otherwise uncertain time. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station is a great backup power source for any home and can keep your phone batteries charged to ensure you have access to the latest updates.
Having a phone charged and accessible is an important safety tip in case an emergency arises while the grid is down. Portable power stations can help keep your phones charged and your family safe, so be sure to have this helpful tool ready for the next unexpected outage in your area.
Stay Informed
Though it may be difficult to access a reliable connection to the internet during a power outage, it’s important to have a way to stay informed. Portable power stations are great in these instances to keep your Wi-Fi router powered up, though you should also invest in a phone plan with reliable data if the Wi-Fi were to go down.
Keep a close tab on any updates to see when the power is expected to come back on, and be sure to keep nearby friends and family updated if you need any assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you or your neighbourhood is experiencing a power outage, it’s a good idea to report it to local officials. To do this, you can visit Toronto Hydro’s website or call 416-542-8000. It is important that you provide all related details about the outage, including how long the power has been out, if there are any downed power lines in your area, and if the outage is contained to your home or extends to your entire neighbourhood.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it all comes down to taking the proper steps to prepare. Power outages can happen when you least expect them, so do your best to have a plan of action developed to know what needs to happen to keep your home powered up, no matter how long the grid may be down.
The EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Solar Generator (PV400W) is an excellent backup power source for any home and will give you peace of mind knowing you have what you need to stay connected.
