Ready when the unexpected happens

November 04, 2026

Media Release, National Projects, Canada Safety Council

Key points from this story:

• National Senior Safety Week Nov 6-12
• Power outages disrupt seniors' routines
• Canada Safety Council urged seniors to plan
• Climate change increases extreme weather
• Know where you could go
• Keep important numbers off your cellphone

National Senior Safety Week is November 6 - 12, and the Canada Safety Council asks seniors across the country: if the power went out tonight and stayed out tomorrow, what would change for you?

"There's no single emergency plan that will work for every senior because there's no single experience of aging," said Gareth Jones, President and CEO of the Canada Safety Council. "Think about what you rely on each day, what an extended outage could interrupt and what alternatives you would have. Your circumstances are your own, so your plan must also be your own."

Changing Climate

The federal government's Canada's Changing Climate Report 2026 found that human-caused warming has changed the frequency and intensity of extreme temperature events in Canada. Extreme rainfall is projected to increase, while extreme fire weather is expected to become more frequent and intense across much of the country.

Freezing rain, high winds, wildfires and periods of extreme heat or cold can contribute to power outages and other service disruptions. For seniors, the question is how those disruptions could affect the routines, surroundings and services that support safe, independent living.

Safety Tips:

• Consider what you rely on each day. Would an outage affect an elevator you use, your ability to leave home, transportation you rely on or other regular services? Identifying where a disruption could affect you can help you identify an alternative.
• Know where you could go. A prolonged outage during extreme heat or cold can make staying home unsafe. Consider where you could go, how you would get there and whether an outage would affect your usual way of leaving home.
• Know how you'll communicate. Keep important phone numbers somewhere other than your cellphone contact list, and know where your municipality or local emergency services provide information during major disruptions.

Make People Part of the Plan

Think about who you could contact locally if an outage changed your circumstances or you needed a hand. A neighbour, friend or family member may be able to help with transportation, information or access to a place with power.

Preparedness works both ways. If you're able, consider who you might check in with during an extended disruption. They may need nothing at all, but they may also appreciate knowing someone thought to ask.

Be Ready When It Matters

Think through an ordinary day. What would stop working during an extended outage? Could you remain safely at home? If not, where would you go and how would you get there? Who could you contact?

Ideally, you'll never need those answers. But the middle of an emergency is a poor time to have to make these decisions for the first time.

This National Senior Safety Week, take a few minutes to think ahead. You can't predict every disruption, but you can prepare for the impacts they may have on your life, routines and independence.