Newfoundland power outage toolkit

We're assembling useful information and tweets from key players as the power-outage situation continues.

CBC News Posted: Jan 06, 2014 3:38 PM EST | Last Updated: January 13, 2014

We're assembling useful information and tweets from key players as the power outage situation continues.

Power outage toolkit

Carbon Monoxide tips

Withone death in the province and eight other cases of illness attributed to COpoisoning, we've compiled these notes froma St. John's Morning Show interview with Vince MacKenzie,president of Newfoundland and Labrador Fire Services Association, and a news release from Eastern Health.

C0 is a gas that replaces oxygen in your bloodstream. It absorbs in your bloodstream over 230 times faster than oxygen andit displaces the oxygen in your blood stream. It can take between 12 and 24 hours to leave your system. It is cumulative and gets worse and worse until it's expelled through exhalation.

Even low levels CO in your home over time such as 8 or 12 or 24 hours can cause systemssymptoms.

High-level exposure means you can walk into a room and collapse because you've inhaled the poison and it overwhelms the body.

Often times, low levels of CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning or other illnesses and carry a long-term health risk if left unattended. Symptoms of exposure may include nausea and headaches, while more severe poisoning may cause vomiting, dizziness, slowed thinking, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, collapse and even cardiac arrest. When more than one person experiences these symptoms at the same time, CO poisoning is likely the cause. It should be noted that people with medical conditions such as coronary or vascular disease may be particularly at risk, as well as children and pregnant women.

Eastern Health says most CO poisoning is the result of engine exhaust, often from running a generator, snow blower or car, or in some cases propane appliances. Use of these items is often more common during severe weather and/or power outages, which has proven the case this past weekend. It should be emphasized that engines should not be operated in an enclosed space under any circumstances.

Eastern Health encourages individuals to have CO alarms installed in their homes. If a CO alarm sounds or the presence of CO is suspected, immediately move everyone to a fresh air location outdoors or near an open window or door. Once in a safe location, call emergency services. If a family member or friend does not return promptly when expected it is recommended to check on them and call emergency services immediately if they are found unwell after working with an engine in a shed or garage.

But Vince MacKenzie cautions that many CO detectors rely on electricity to operate. Unless they are battery operated or backed up by battery, they can't berelied on.

Many people will bring portable generators,camp stovesusing oil, gas or keroseneorbarbequesinside homes or sheds during situation like this week's power outages. VinceMacKenziesays don'tdo it.

Propane ranges are designed to be inside a home and are built to burn the fuel completely. Camping stoves and barbeques are meant to be used outside. They burn fuelincompletely and incompletecombustion means more CO.

Important numbers

Power:

Newfoundland Power outage information:1-800-474-5711

Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro outage information:1-888-764-9376

Fire:

Newfoundland Fire and Emergency Services

Emergency: 911

Provincial Office in St. John's

Fire Protection Services Telephone: 1-709-729-1608

Emergency Services Telephone: 1-709-729-3703

Regional Offices

Deer Lake
709-635-4153

Grand Falls-Windsor
709-292-4414 or 709-292-4078

Clarenville
709-466-4109

Happy Valley-Goose Bay
709-896-7957

Postal Service

Canada Post:1-866-607-6301

Internet and Phone services

Bell Aliant:1-888-214-7896

Rogers:1-888-764-3771
(select NL tab for province specific outage updates)

Ferries

Marine Atlantic:1-800-341-7981

Provincial Ferry Service:1-888-638-5454

Buses

Metrobus:709-722-9400

Airports

St. Johns International Airport:709-758-8500 (local) or 1-866-758-8581 (toll-free)

Gander Airport24 Hour: 709-256-6666

Deer Lake Airport:709-635-3601/5270/3048

Emergency Response Service: 709-635-2725

Weather

Environment Canada:1-800-668-6767 or 819-997-2800

Environment Canada Atlantic Office:1-902-426-7231

Other useful weather-related sites

CBC Storm Centre

Ryan Snoddons Weather Blog

Provincial highway and driving conditions

Avalon Region: 1-709-729-7669

Eastern Region: 1-709-466-4160

Central Region: 1-709-292-4444

Western Region: 1-709-635-4144

Labrador Region: 1-709-896-7888

Terra Nova National Park: 1-709-533-2801

During an emergency it is recommended you have in your home:

Food and water: Ideally a 72-hour supply of non-perishable food for each person
Manual can opener
Crank or battery-operated flashlight, with extra batteries
Crank or battery-operated radio, with extra batteries
Extra keys, for house and car
First aid kit
Cash in small bills|
Special needs items (medications, infant formula)
Personal hygiene items
Important family documents (copies of birth and marriage certificates, passports, licenses, wills, land deeds and insurance)
Copy of your emergency plan
Other items that are useful include:
Change of clothing and footwear for each person
Plastic sheeting
Scissors or pocket knife
Whistle
Handsanitizer
Pet food and pet medication
Garbage bags and twist ties
Toilet paper
Multi-toolor basic tools (hammer, wrench, screwdriver, etc.)
Duct tape
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

In your vehicle it is recommended you have:

Non-perishable food and water
Shovel and ice scraper
Blankets
Extra clothing and shoes|
Crank or battery operated flashlight, with extra batteries
Road maps and flares
Warm work gloves
Sand, salt or kitty litter
De-icer(methyl hydrate)
Windshield washer
Jumper cable

Source: The Canadian Red Cross

Tips for assisting persons with disabilities

Check on neighbours with disabilities to find out if they require assistance during an emergency
Ask first if the person requires assistance.
Allow the person to identify how best to assist them.
Do not touch the person, their service animal and/or theirassistivedevice/equipment without their permission.
Follow instructions posted on special needs equipment and/orassistivedevices.

Mobility

Avoid attempts to lift, support or assist in moving someone unless you are familiar with safe techniques.
Use latex free gloves when providing personal care whenever possible. (Persons with spinal cord injury have a greater risk of developing an infectious disease during an emergency. Gloves help control secondary medical conditions that can easily arise if personal care is disrupted during an emergency.)
Ensure that the persons wheelchair goes with the person.

Blind and Low Vision

To guide them, offer them your arm instead of taking theirs and walk at their pace. Keep half a step ahead of them.
Provide advance warning of upcoming stairs, curbs, major obstacles, or changes in direction. Watch for overhangs or protrusions the person could walk into.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Get the persons attention via a visual cue or a gentle touch on their arm before speaking to them.
Face the person and make eye contact when speaking to them as they may rely on speech reading.
Communicate in close proximity. Refrain from shouting or speaking unnaturally slowly. Speak clearly and naturally.
Use hand gestures to help explain the meaning of what you are trying to communicate to the person.
Write messages and keep a pencil and paper handy for communicating with those that may be deaf.
Avoid approaching the person from behind

Source: The Coalition of Persons withDisabilities-NL(COD-NL)

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External Links

National Safety Council: Carbon Monoxide

Government of Canada Emergency Preparedness Guide

Government of Newfoundland: Electricity Conservation Measures