Search
Close Modal

What to do in an emergency

ENGLISH | FRANÇAIS

If you suspect a pipeline emergency, please follow these directives.

Immediately, in any emergency situation:

  • Abandon any mechanized equipment. Move as far away from the leak as possible, avoiding contact with escaping liquids and gases. Warn others to stay away
  • Call 9-1-1
  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour Enbridge emergency number in your area or an emergency number that you see on a pipeline marker
  • Follow instructions provided to you by Enbridge and local emergency responders

If you suspect a sweet gas emergency:

  • Leave the area
  • If you are outdoors, abandon any mechanized equipment and move to a location up or crosswind. The use of motor vehicles or other equipment can be a potential ignition source and should not be used
  • If you are indoors, evacuate everyone at the residence or business and take any small pets with you, if safe to do so
  • Once you reach safety, call 9-1-1. Your cell phone can be an ignition source so you must be a safe distance away before using it
  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour Enbridge emergency number in your area. Wait for further instructions from Enbridge emergency personnel or other first responders.
  • If safe to do so, warn others to stay away
  • If it is not safe to evacuate, shelter-in-place (see below)

If you suspect a sour gas emergency:

  • Take shelter in your residence
  • Immediately call 9-1-1 and then call the toll-free, 24-hour Enbridge emergency number in your area. Wait for further instructions from Enbridge emergency personnel or other first responders.

What you shouldn’t do

  • Do not touch or go near any liquid, gas or vapor cloud that might have come from a pipeline or facility leak
  • Do not start your vehicle or any equipment that could be a potential ignition source
  • Do not smoke or light a match, and avoid heating sources or making sparks
  • Do not turn on or off anything that may create a spark, including cell phones, pagers, flashlights, keyless entry remotes, vehicle alarms, and light switches, until you are in a safe location
  • Do not attempt to operate pipeline valves
  • Do not try to turn valves
  • Do not attempt to extinguish any flames or fires
  • Do not remain in a building if the smell is stronger inside than outside (for crude oil pipelines)

In the event of an emergency, Enbridge’s emergency response plan will immediately go into effect and we will work with local emergency responders to identify and resolve the issue. Residents may be asked to evacuate if it is no longer safe to be in the area, or to shelter-in-place if there is something unsafe in the environment. The instructions given to you will depend on your location in relation to the incident or release site.

If you are indoors or near a building and you do not know the location of the leak, shelter-in-place until emergency responders or Enbridge provides you with additional instructions.

How to shelter-in-place

  • Immediately go indoors and close all windows and outside doors
  • Take shelter in the room with the least amount of windows and vents. Seal the room using a wet towel at the base of the door
  • Call 9-1-1. Your cell phone can be an ignition source so you must be a safe distance away from the leak before using it
  • Call the toll-free, 24-hour Enbridge emergency number in your area. Wait for further instructions from Enbridge emergency personnel or other first responders.
  • Keep phone lines open so that you can be contacted by emergency response personnel
  • Stay tuned to local radio and television (battery-operated) for possible information updates
  • Turn off any appliances or equipment that circulate air, such as exhaust fans, gas fireplaces, gas stoves, and heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
  • Turn down furnace thermostats to the minimum setting
  • Even if you see people outside, do not leave until told to do so

What happens next?

Public safety will be the top priority as Enbridge, contractors and local emergency responders work together to evaluate and respond to a pipeline leak.

  • Enbridge personnel may shut down or isolate sections of the pipeline or facility
  • Local emergency responders will oversee public safety measures like securing the scene, providing medical aid and other lifesaving services and getting you the information you need to stay safe
  • Enbridge will work with applicable agencies to remediate any impacts caused by the leak