What to do if the power goes out

Steps you can take

Determine if the power failure is limited to your home:

If your neighbour's power is still on, check your electrical panel to see if the main circuit breaker has tripped. Even if it appears to be on, turn the breaker off and back on again to ensure a good connection.
If your electrical panel isn't the cause of the outage, call 310-2220, SaskPower's 24-hour, toll-free number specifically for outage reporting and updates. You can call any time, any day of the week. Callers outside Saskatchewan.
Power can be restored more easily if the load on the electric system is reduced. Turn off or unplug any appliances, computers or electronics you were using when the power went out. Leave one light on so you'll know when your power returns.

Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed to keep your food as fresh as possible. Food will remain fresh or frozen for several hours if you keep the doors closed. Wrapping your freezer in a blanket or quilt will extend that time. If you must eat food that was refrigerated or frozen after a long power outage, check it carefully for signs of spoilage.
Don't light a fire indoors unless you have an approved fireplace or wood stove. If you're cold, put on layers of warm clothing instead.
Don't use barbecues, portable generators, or propane or kerosene heaters indoors. Burning fuel in unventilated areas produces carbon-monoxide, a deadly, odourless gas.
Turn on taps to keep a slow flow of water running through your pipes in cold weather.
Use candles with care. Never leave a candle unattended. Don't use a candle to search through a confined space such as a closet or under the cupboards.

If your neighbour's power has returned and yours has not, there could be a problem specific to your home. Recheck your main breaker and reset it even it appears to be on. If power is not restored, call us toll-free at 310-2220.
Make sure your fridge and freezer are back on. Check your appliance guides to determine whether food can be safely eaten or refrozen.
Give the electrical system a chance to stabilize. Turn on essential equipment and appliances first, and wait 10-15 minutes before turning on the rest.
Restock your emergency cupboard so that supplies will be there next time you need them.