We value safety first, in everything we do. We treat the safety of our staff and the communities we serve with the utmost importance.
Related questions
After a storm, who is responsible for the repairs?
In general, the customer is responsible for all electrical equipment attached to the home, including stacks, pipes, and the electrical wires they contain. Entegrus is responsible for the meter and the wires that leave your stack and attach to the power lines.
Be sure to check your outdoor electrical connections after a storm – even if you have not lost power. Severe weather can damage the equipment attached to your home and neglecting to repair it can pose a risk.
Please follow these 3 simple steps to ensure the safety of your home:
- Visually inspect all electrical masts and pipes. This equipment is a part of your property and needs to be in good condition to safely conduct electricity.
- Do not touch wires. If you suspect that your equipment is damaged, call a licensed electrical contractor to make repairs and certify safety. In Ontario, only a Licensed Electrical Contractor can perform this work. Using other service providers may delay the reconnection of your electricity, or lead to insurance issues. There are more than 7,000 Licensed Electrical Contractors in Ontario.
- Once repairs are complete and certified, you must call Entegrus to reconnect your power.
For your own safety, this process should only begin after the storm has passed, providing there are no downed lines or other electrical hazards present.
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) has a page dedicated to making repairs in the event of damage to your property's electrical system, as well as photo examples.
See our Distribution Demarcation Information page to review examples of equipment that is homeowner responsibility vs Entegrus.
The ESA has provided a resources on Power Clearances and Pool Installations, available here.
Visit the ESA website for safety tips around Landscaping and Tree Pruning.
Additional resources are available on the ESA website for:
- Privately-Owned Powerline Assets
- Tree Pruning Guidelines
- Tree Planting Guidelines
- Vegetation Management Around Powerlines
- Homeowner Landscaping & Tree Trimming Safety
Electrical Safety Tips
- Make sure that everyone in your home is familiar with where the main electrical switch is so they can turn off the electric supply to your entire home quickly in case of an emergency.
- Never run electrical cords under rugs or carpets.
- If you are planning to repair your home by either doing roof repairs or siding installations, call Entegrus to have the service disconnected to your home. There is no charge to you or to your contractor.
- Use extreme caution when working from metal scaffolding or aluminum ladders around power lines. Electricity looks for the easiest path to ground. You could be that path if the metal object you are touching comes in contact with an electric circuit.
- Do not overload electrical outlets with multiple appliances; this could cause a fire in your home.
- Never use electric appliances, such as radios and hair dryers near sinks, toilets or bathtubs.
- Use extension cords with three pronged plugs for appliances that require grounding. Insert and remove plugs by grasping the plug. Do not touch the metal prongs or pull on the cord.
- Install safety caps into wall outlets when small children are around.
- Never use water on an electrical fire.
- Always dry your hands before touching electric appliances.
- Use GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) in your home. These provide split second electrical protection.
- Do not install antennas near hydro wires. Maintain safe minimum distance of at 10 feet (3 metres) from the top of the antenna to any power lines.
- Flagpoles are metal, and can carry electricity if they contact powerlines
- Know what's below / Call before you dig. If you have underground electric lines, never start a digging project (whether you're building a fence or deck, or planting a tree) without knowing where the lines are located. Visit Ontario One Call or call 1-800-400-2255.
- Overhead power lines and wires: Never come into contact with an overhead wire with items such as a pole, or a stick. Electricity has the ability to travel down objects it comes in contact with, that could result in an electrical shock resulting in serious injury or death. Ensure your swimming pool is not installed near hydro wires: there is a risk of hitting the wires with long handled cleaning equipment.
- Warning signs: Pay attention to all warning signs in outdoor areas! “Danger High Voltage” or any “Danger” signs should be avoided at all costs. Always respect utility equipment, and never touch or climb poles, towers, metal transformer boxes, and NEVER try to attempt to enter a station.
- Outdoor electrical outlets: Ensure outdoor outlets are weatherproof and equipped with a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) - this is especially important in damp locations where more protection is necessary than a fuse or circuit breaker. Appliances should not be used outdoors unless they are equipped with a heavy duty cord and 3 prong plug.
- Trees: Ensure the trees where children play do not have wires passing through them. Never climb or play in trees when wires running through are present.
- Kites, balloons, remote controlled airplanes: When using these fun summer activities, stay clear of any overhead power lines and wires. Use these devices ONLY in clear, open spaces.
- Gardening/Landscaping: Call before you dig! Contact Ontario One Call (1-800-400-2255). Underground cable is usually 0.5 to 1 metre below ground level. Make sure you know the location of buried electrical lines.
- During a lightning storm: Seek shelter in a house or car if possible. If golfing, ensure to get into your golf cart. If you’re swimming, be sure to get out of the water. Avoid open spaces and trees, seek low ground if no shelter is available & sit or lie down.
- Stay away (at least the length of a school bus) from fallen powerlines; always consider every wire as if it were live, even if it doesn't look like it. The wire may not be sparking or making burning sounds, but could still be energized at full line potential.
- Stay indoors after severe storms until electrical crews have been around to repair fallen wires. If you see a fallen wire at anytime, please contact Entegrus.
- Never build tree forts or climb in trees where there are wires. Sometimes electrical wires run directly through trees.
- Never play on or near electrical transformers. They may look like large green boxes and can be found either in the front or back yard of your home. Transformers are also located below ground in large cement vaults, never shove objects into these enclosures, there is live energized equipment inside that could harm you.
- If your pet climbs a hydro pole or a tree that is near powerlines, please do not try to climb and rescue the animal. Instead persuade the animal down with some food. Often, the animal comes down on it’s own.
- Always choose a safe area far away from energized power lines when flying a kite or model airplane. The string on the kite, or the control wire can become conductive. Helium metallic balloons have been responsible for many power outages; use extreme caution when flying these objects near power lines.
- The safest way to move a ladder, flag pole, or other lengthy objects from one location to another is to have two people carry it. Keeping these objects horizontal avoids contact with overhead wires.
- If you are in a vehicle that comes in contact with power lines, do not leave the vehicle unless you are in immediate danger. Touching the vehicle and the ground at the same time could be fatal. You should stay 33 meters away from downed power lines, and keep EVERYONE away from them until the Hydro crews arrive.
Cottage Safety
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) provides a number of electrical safety tips when opening, closing, and using your cottage.
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) provides a number of electrical safety tips when opening, closing, and using your cottage.