“It’s Good to Always Have a Plan”: A Qualitative Study of Canadians’ Preparedness During Power Outages

Abstract

Objectives: Power outages can lead to food-borne and water-borne illness risks for consumers if proper protective measures are not taken at home. The purpose of this study was to understand the behaviors of Canadians related to food and water safety preparedness at home during power outages and floods. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, consisting of 6 virtual focus groups, each with 8 people, in July 2023. Participants were selected from geographically dispersed locations in Ontario, Canada that had experienced power outages due to weather events. Thematic analysis was conducted to generate key themes. Results: Four themes were generated related to participants’ food and water safety preparedness: 1) trusted information sources and lived experiences; 2) support and resources; 3) factors beyond one’s control; and 4) differences in psychosocial determinants. Conclusions: Effective risk communication targeting misconceptions, incentivization programs, and community resilience planning may help prevent or reduce enteric illness risks during such emergencies.