What to Do During a Power Outage: Protecting Your Food & the Grid
Published on March 10, 2026 at 4:14 PM. A power outage can be disruptive, but knowing what to do can minimize damage and ensure a quicker restoration of service. While it’s generally recommended to unplug sensitive electronics during a panne d’électricité, there’s one crucial exception: your refrigerator and freezer. Here’s why you should leave them plugged in, even when the lights go out.
Protecting Your Electronics During a Power Outage
During a power outage, unplugging electronic devices like computers, televisions, and chargers is a smart move. This prevents potential damage from power surges when electricity is restored. It’s also wise to turn off manually operated appliances that were running when the electricity went out, such as dryers, washing machines, hair dryers, toasters, stoves, and dishwashers.
Hydro-Québec recommends walking through your home (using a flashlight if necessary) to verify that all appliances are unplugged or switched off. These simple steps not only protect against surge damage but also help facilitate a faster power restoration. A sudden, large demand for electricity when service resumes can overload the grid, triggering safety mechanisms and potentially causing further outages.
Why Keep Your Fridge and Freezer Plugged In?
The advice to unplug doesn’t apply to your refrigerator and freezer. These appliances should remain plugged in at all times to resume operation as soon as possible. Avoid opening their doors to maintain internal temperatures.
According to the Government of Quebec, “food stored in the refrigerator remains cold for about 4 to 6 hours; food in a well-maintained and fully stocked freezer can be preserved for up to 48 hours.” Because these appliances maintain a stable temperature for several hours, their compressors will gradually restart when power is restored, ensuring your food stays fresh or frozen even during a prolonged power outage.
Gradual Power Restoration & Food Preservation
When power is restored, it’s crucial to ensure electricity demand increases gradually. If only the fridge and freezer require power, the electrical grid won’t be overloaded. Leaving them plugged in allows them to restart quickly, minimizing food spoilage. This is especially important given the rising cost of groceries.
In short, unplug computers, televisions, and other energy-consuming devices, but leave your fridge and freezer plugged in to protect your food supply. Understanding these simple steps can make a significant difference during a panne d’électricité.
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