What to Do If Your Power Goes Out During a Snowstorm

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

A power outage during a snowstorm in London, Ontario turns a weather event into something that can affect heat, water, and safety all at once, so it helps to have a plan before the lights actually go out.

The first priority is staying warm without creating new risks. Close off rooms you do not need to heat, layer blankets and clothing, and if you are using a generator or portable heater, keep it outside or in a well-ventilated space away from windows and doors, since carbon monoxide risk goes up during outages.

Check on food safety early. A full freezer will hold safe temperatures for about 48 hours if the door stays closed, and a full fridge for roughly four hours, so plan what you will eat first and avoid opening either more than necessary.

Outages during storms often coincide with roads that are already hard to travel, which can delay utility crews and emergency services alike. Keep a charged phone or battery pack, a flashlight, and a battery or hand crank radio on hand so you can track updates without relying on power.

Build a Simple Outage Kit Now

The best time to prepare is a calm day in November. Put together a kit you can find in the dark: flashlights or headlamps with spare batteries, a battery or hand-crank radio, a charged power bank, a few days of drinking water, food that needs no cooking, any medications you rely on, extra blankets and warm layers, and a basic first aid kit. Keep it in one bin near the main floor so nobody has to search the basement by phone light.

Protect Your Pipes

A long outage in deep cold can freeze plumbing. Keep cabinet doors under sinks open so warmer room air reaches the pipes, and if the house is cooling quickly, let a tap drip slowly. Know where your main water shut-off is before winter. If a pipe does freeze, turning off the water early can limit the damage when it thaws.

Carbon Monoxide Is the Real Danger

Never run a generator, barbecue, camp stove or propane heater inside the house or in an attached garage, even with the door open. These produce carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell. Make sure your carbon monoxide alarms have working batteries, since hard-wired alarms may rely on battery backup during an outage. Also keep snow cleared from furnace and dryer vents once the power is back, because blocked vents can push fumes indoors.

Getting Out Safely After the Storm

When the power comes back, the driveway and steps are often buried and icy. If someone in the home needs to leave for medical care or work, a clear path matters. With a seasonal plan, our crews come out automatically for every snowfall of 5 cm or more, with return visits in long storms, and the City windrow at the end of the driveway is cleared too. Ice is a common problem after an outage, as melt refreezes overnight; our seasonal salt service includes freezing rain and refreeze visits.

Check on Neighbours

Older neighbours and people living alone are most at risk during long, cold outages. A quick knock or phone call can make a big difference. If they need help with snow over the winter, our seniors snow removal plans include a 5% discount on seasonal service.

How long will food stay safe in the freezer?

A full freezer generally stays cold for about 48 hours if you keep the door closed. A half-full freezer stays cold for less time.

Is it safe to use my gas stove for heat?

No. Gas stoves and ovens are not designed for heating a home and can create carbon monoxide. Use layers and blankets instead.

Ready to sort out winter before it starts? Ask for a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about our residential snow removal and seniors snow removal.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.