The City of Toronto has offered the following tips to help Toronto residents stay and warm during the power outage that began late Thursday night and covers a large swath of downtown.
- Check on your friends and family. Building superintendents should check on any vulnerable residents in their buildings.
- Remove vehicles from the main roads in the blackout area (bordered by St. Clair Avenue, Queen Street, Spadina Avenue and Jane Street). Vehicles may be subject to a tow to ensure the flow of traffic. Police have brought in additional resources to assist with traffic direction.
- Open a tap at the lowest point in the house and keep the water running at a very slow rate to avoid freezing of water pipes
- Food will keep in the freezer for 24 to 48 hours if the freezer remains closed. Food in the fridge will keep for 12 to 24 hours if the fridge is kept closed. However, if in doubt, throw it out.
- Care should be taken with lit candles. Always stay in the room where candles are being used.
- Make sure all appliances are turned off
- Treat stoplights like a four-way stop when driving through a non-functioning traffic light
- Plan and practice a home escape plan in the event of fire
- Stay warm! If it gets too cold in your home, visit one one of the city's warming centres (Metro Hall, 55 John St; York Civic Centre, 2700 Eglinton Ave. W; JJ Piccininni Community Centre, 1369 St. Clair Ave. W.; Castelview Wychwood Long Term Care, 351 Christie St.; Memorial Community Centre, 44 Montgomery Rd.; Harrison Pool, 15 Stephanie St.; Trinity Community Recreation Centre, 15 Crawford St.)
