TORONTO HYDRO PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT - Storm Safety

TORONTO, Feb. 24, 2012 /CNW/ - As the inclement weather in Toronto is expected to continue, Toronto Hydro-Electric System ("Toronto Hydro") crews are ready to respond if power is interrupted. Toronto Hydro's Control Centre staff is monitoring the weather and plans to hold back emergency response crews if needed.

Customers should not assume that Toronto Hydro is aware of an outage and should call Customer Care to report it at 416.542.8000.  Representatives are 'on the ready' should the call volumes increase due to power outages.

Cold, continuous rain followed by freezing temperatures can cause heavy icing on trees limbs that can fall on wires. Heavy winds can also contribute to power outages in areas with overhead systems.

Pedestrians are urged to stay clear of downed wires.

Some of these wires may be "live" or electrified, which can cause serious injury.

Currently Toronto Hydro is experiencing only one primary wire-down in Scarborough affecting 39 customers in the Midland and Ellesmere area. Otherwise call volumes are low and there are few outages; mainly individual homes or customers.  Residents without power are reminded to turn off stoves and other appliances to avoid creating dangerous conditions should power be restored while they are out of the house or apartment. Residents should not leave candles unattended nor should they bring barbeques inside to cook or for warmth. Doing so creates a carbon monoxide risk.

Keep Back, Know Your Limits Always stay back at least 20 ft. from all power lines -- both exposed underground power lines and overhead wires. To report a wire down, call Toronto Hydro at [phone]. And, if overgrown trees are in close proximity to a power line, Forestry crews at Toronto Hydro are trained to prune around power lines on private property; there is no cost for this service if the tree is too close to our high voltage equipment. Call Toronto Hydro's Forestry department at [phone].

For tips on what to do during power outages, check www.torontohydro.com/poweroutage

For more safety information and tips, check www.torontohydro.com/safety

About Toronto Hydro

The principal business of the Corporation and its subsidiaries is the distribution of electricity by Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited. Toronto Hydro-Electric System owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 705,000 customers located in the City of Toronto.  It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 19% of the electricity consumed in Ontario.

The information in these materials is based on information currently available to Toronto Hydro Corporation and its affiliates (together hereinafter referred to as "Toronto Hydro"), and is provided for information purposes only. Toronto Hydro does not warrant the accuracy, reliability, completeness or timeliness of the information and undertakes no obligation to revise or update these materials. Toronto Hydro (including its directors, officers, employees, agents and subcontractors) hereby waives any and all liability for damages of whatever kind and nature which may occur or be suffered as a result of the use of these materials or reliance on the information therein.

Toronto Hydro is pleased to announce we are officially on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube! Follow us for the latest on energy conservation, tips on how to take advantage of your time-of-use rates and updates on power outages.

Twitter - twitter.com/torontohydro

Facebook - facebook.com/torontohydro

YouTube - youtube.com/torontohydro

Media contact:

Tanya Bruckmueller, Toronto Hydro-Electric System
[email protected]
W: 416-542-2621