Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5–11. Powerline Safety Week
is May 13–19.
TORONTO, May 9, 2024
/CNW/ - Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week is May 5–11, followed
by Powerline Safety Week from May 13–19, and Toronto Hydro is
sharing information to help customers stay emergency-ready and safe
from powerlines.
Emergencies such as extreme weather events can happen at any
time and have the potential to cause extended power outages. In the
event of an outage, it's important for customers to be as prepared
as possible to help keep themselves and their loved ones safe and
comfortable while crews work to address safety issues and restore
power.
To help customers stay emergency-ready, Toronto Hydro is
reminding customers to:
- Always have a fully stocked 72-hour emergency kit with water
and non-perishable food items for all members of your household;
first aid items and medications; and basic tools and supplies, such
as a flashlight, batteries and a power bank to charge small
electronics like cell phones
- Make themselves aware of the online tools available to help
stay informed and connected during an extended outage
- Register those who depend on electrically powered medical
equipment, such as a ventilator or kidney dialysis machine for
Toronto Hydro's Life Support Notification Program
- Update emergency contact numbers
Extreme weather events can also bring trees and branches down
onto powerlines and cause unsafe conditions. While powerlines are
one of the most important types of equipment for utilities, they're
also one of the most dangerous. Below are tips on how to stay safe
around downed powerlines:
- Stay back at least 10 metres from downed powerlines (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 customers safe at home, at
work and around the city. For more information, please visit
torontohydro.com/safety.
QUICK FACTS
- EP Week is a national awareness initiative aimed at
encouraging Canadians to take steps to become better prepared for
emergencies
- Toronto Hydro has an EP Guide available in 10 languages,
with tips on what to do before, during and after a power
outage
- According to a recent survey, more than half of our customers
have some form of an emergency kit at home, but only 13 per cent of
customers have a fully stocked, 72-hour emergency kit prepared
- Powerline Safety Week is an annual campaign led by the
Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) and local distributors like
Toronto Hydro to raise awareness about the risks posed by
powerlines
- According to the ESA, contact with a powerline is a
leading cause of electrical-related deaths in Ontario
QUOTE
"Extreme weather can happen at any time and can result in
extended power outages and other safety-related issues. All year
round, Toronto Hydro is committed to sharing information to help
customers prepare for emergencies and protect themselves and their
loved ones from associated risks like downed powerlines."
Daniel McNeil, Corporate
Spokesperson, Toronto Hydro
ABOUT TORONTO HYDRO
Toronto Hydro is a holding company which wholly owns two
subsidiaries:
- Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited (THESL) – distributes
electricity; and
- Toronto Hydro Energy Services Inc. – provides streetlighting
and expressway lighting services in the city of Toronto
The principal business of Toronto Hydro and its subsidiaries is
the distribution of electricity by THESL, which owns and operates
the electricity distribution system for 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
per cent of the electricity consumed in Ontario.
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SOURCE Toronto Hydro Corporation