Safety comes first, always.

• Always be on the lookout for fallen or sagging wires, especially after storms.
• Stay at least 10 metres away from downed power lines or damaged facilities.
• Notify Naka Power (Yellowknife) or Naka Power (NWT) immediately. In Kakisa, Dory Point, Fort Providence, Sambaa K’e, Wekweeti, Hay River, Enterprise and the K’at’lodeeche First Nation, call 867-874-6879 or 1-800-264-5313 (toll free). In Yellowknife and N’Dilo, call 867-873-4865.
• Keep everyone away from the area.

Working near power lines can be extremely dangerous. When planning your work, driving large equipment or moving a tall load, be sure to look up and live. Always stay at least ten metres back of overhead power lines. Contact us with any questions regarding line clearances or working in proximity to power lines.

If you contact a power line, follow these steps to stay safe:  

1. Move the equipment away from the power line to break contact and call local emergency services to report the incident.
2. If contact can’t be broken, remain on the machine and call local emergency services. If there is no other immediate danger, the safest place for you to be is on the machine. Warn anyone nearby to stay back at least 10 meters.
3. If there is a fire or immediate danger, jump off the machine with both feet together. Never touch the machine and the ground at the same time.
4. Once clear of the machine, shuffle away, never allowing the heel of one foot to move beyond the toe of the other. Do this until you’re at least 10 metres (33 feet) away. Call emergency personnel to report the incident.

If you hit a power line with your vehicle:

• Break the contact, if you can. Drive at least 10 metres away.
• Stay put and keep others 10 metres back.
• Call 911 for help.
• If you must exit your vehicle, JUMP. Then shuffle or hop with your feet together. Don’t step!
• Don’t touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time. 

1. Call Before You Dig. Call us to mark the location of underground power lines in your work area. This is a free service. Call at least two days before you start digging, and sooner during the busy spring season. The approximate location of underground power lines will be marked with red flags or temporary paint. 
   
   In Kakisa, Dory Point, Fort Providence, Sambaa K’e, Wekweeti, Hay River, Enterprise and the K’at’lodeeche First Nation, call 867-874-6879 or 1-800-264-5313 (toll free). 
   
   In Yellowknife and N’Dilo, call 867-873-4865.
   
   
2. Plan Your Work Area: Avoid digging within one metre of either side of the locate markings if possible.  
   
   
3. Dig Safely: If you must dig near the markings, discuss this with the representative on site to come up with a plan.  

You can face serious consequences for hitting a power line, including loss of service to your homes, paying expensive repair costs, and serious injury or fatality.

1. Make a plan

• Every household should have an emergency plan. Identify safe meeting places, exit plans, and emergency contact information and ensure the information is accessible. 
• Review and update your emergency plan at least once a year with the entire family.
• Have a generator at home that can keep your electricity going if the power goes out.  

2. Check your 72-hour Emergency Kit 

• Extreme weather is one of the most common reasons for outages in our service territory. Ensure you have an emergency kit prepared to sustain you and your family for up to 72 hours. Download ATCO’s Power Pack Guide to find out what to include in your kit.  

3. Prepare

• Ensure your devices like your phone, laptop, and rechargeable cordless power banks are charged. This will help ensure you stay connected to the latest information. Check our website to see updates on outages affecting you.
• If you have a smart home, have a plan B for your smart devices, like a traditional house key instead of a keypad.  

1. Stay safe

• Stay away from large objects or windows that could fall and/or break. 
  • If you see a downed power line, stay at least 10 meters away, as they can be extremely dangerous. Call our emergency outage line and keep everyone safe from the area.  
• If there’s flooding, ensure all electronics are unplugged and stay above the water line.  
• Avoid walking through any standing flood water, as it could be energized and electrocute you. 
• Generators should be used at least six metres away from doors, windows, or vents. 

2. Stay informed 

• Check our Current Outages page for updates. 
• Call us. We’re here to help. 

1. Investigate

• When safe to do so, inspect your property for any damage.
• Plug-in devices slowly to avoid a power surge. 
   

2. Repair

• If you come across damage to your property, ensure you document it so you can submit a claim through insurance later. 
• If your power is still out after the storm, report it through our website, or by calling us. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.  

3. Replenish

• Refill your 72-hour emergency kit with any supplies you used during the storm.  
• Recharge your power bank. 
• Dispose of spoiled food. If you’re unsure, throw it away to be safe.  

We offer free half-day power line safety training for emergency first responders – Fire, RCMP, Emergency Medical Services and Environment Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) personnel – in our service area. Led by our safety professionals and Power Line Technicians, you’ll learn what you need to know to protect the public and respond safely to electrical emergencies.

We offer free half-day power line safety training for emergency first responders – Fire, RCMP, Emergency Medical Services and Environment Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) personnel – in our service area. Led by our safety professionals and Power Line Technicians, you’ll learn what you need to know to protect the public and respond safely to electrical emergencies.

• Inspect all cords and lights before use and replace any that are damaged or old.
• Protect cords from damage. Cords should never be pinched by furniture, forced into small spaces such as doors or windows, placed under rugs, located near heat sources or attached by nails or staples.
• Only use or buy decorations for the intended use: outdoors or indoors.
• Purchase electrical products that display a label indicating it has undergone independent testing by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
• When it comes to hanging outdoor lights, look up to ensure the ladder you are using is clear of any power lines. 
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness to decrease fire risk.
• Do not use metallic ornaments on your tree to reduce the risk of shock.
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday lighting before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Never allow children to play with lights, electrical decorations or cords.