What to do in a power outage

What to do at home when the power goes off: in the first hour, in the hours after, after 4 hours and when it comes back. Every tip comes from an official source, listed on the sources page.

The first hour

• Check whether it is just your home: the fuse box and the neighbours' windows.
• Switch on the torch (no candles) and the radio: listen to what the authorities say.
• Do not open the freezer; open the fridge little, taking everything out at once.
• Building water pumped up? Fill buckets or the bath for the toilet.
• Unplug sensitive devices (computer, TV) or turn off their circuit, and switch off the hob, oven, iron and heaters: they can come back on by themselves. Leave one light on so you know when power is back.
• Send a text (it needs signal, not internet) instead of calling. 999 only for emergencies.
• Do not use the lift. If someone is stuck inside, do not force the doors: call 999 and keep talking to them.
• Stay at home: with the traffic lights out, driving is dangerous.
• Call 105 (free) to report it.

The following hours

• If you need to eat, start with what is in the fridge while it is still cold: with the door shut it lasts about 4 hours.
• Save battery: flight mode and lowest brightness; turn it off at times for texts and alerts.
• If you cannot reach someone at home, follow the plan: meeting point or outside contact.
• Look in on older neighbours or those who live alone.

After more than 4 hours

• More than 4 hours without power: meat, fish, eggs, milk, soft cheese and leftovers from the fridge go in the bin. Do not trust how they look or smell.
• Closed freezer: lasts 24 to 48 hours. Anything that still has ice crystals can be refrozen.
• Keep listening to the radio and do what the authorities say. Usually that means staying at home.
• Never use generators, gas stoves or barbecues indoors.

When the power comes back

• Plug devices back in gradually. Recharge torches, power banks and phones.
• Check the food and write down what was missing so you can replace it.
• Off over 12 hours (24–48 in a big storm)? You're owed compensation, usually automatically.

This does not replace instructions from the authorities or 999: if they say something different, do what they say.

What to have ready beforehand

Almost everything above depends on having this at home before the power goes off:

• Light

  One light per person, and no candles.

  See in the kit

• Battery and charging

  Keep the phone and the radio going for three days.

  See in the kit

• Radio

  On batteries, to keep up when the internet and phones fail.

  See in the kit

• Safety at home

  For the two risks a blackout brings into the home: carbon monoxide and fire.

  See in the kit

Keep reading

• 72-hour emergency kit

  The list the authorities ask for, item by item, and what it costs.

  Read

• Emergency radio for a power outage

  Battery or wind-up, and which stations to note down.

  Read