Preparations in the home

• When a storm is approaching, it is your responsibility to gather the basic items and to figure out what your family will need in the home for at least 72 hours.
• Make sure you have enough food.
• Have an emergency plan that everyone in your family is aware of.
• In case of a power outage, if you have to evacuate, arrange to stay with family or friends.
• Check on any vulnerable people you know to see if they need anything.
• Help your neighbours with snow clearing.
• Check the media for instructions from the authorities, service interruptions and exceptional measures in effect.
• Consider delaying any non-essential travel until conditions improve.
• If you have to drive somewhere, let someone know your schedule and destination, and carry an emergency kit and a cell phone.

Where to heat up in Gatineau

There are several places to heat up in Gatineau. To find out when our facilities are open to the public, check the following pages:

Natural gas installations

To ensure the safe and efficient operation of your natural gas appliances, it is important that you carefully clear the air intakes, exhaust pipes, and your meter. Clear regularly, and especially when there is a heavy accumulation of snow.

If your meter becomes covered in ice, call Gazifère Customer Service promptly at 819-771-8321.

Tips from your distributors of natural gas

Fire hydrants

Gatineau clears the snow from its fire hydrants. However, to ensure maximum protection of your property, we ask that you clear the snow from around any fire hydrants on your property in order to make them fully usable in case of a fire. Be sure to leave a 1.5 m clearance around each hydrant at all times. Avoid pushing snow up against the fire hydrant, and instead make the time to keep it clear. It is prohibited to push snow up against a fire hydrant. Violators are subject to a fine under by-law no. 774-2015.

More information

Immediate intervention required?

Call 311 for an immediate intervention (watermain break, sewer backup, etc.).

In case of an emergency, call 911.

Useful links

• 72-hour emergency kit
• Emergency situations, disasters and natural hazards – Gouvernement du Québec