Preparing for a power cut

Most power cuts in the UK are short and fixed within hours. But storms, flooding and faults can sometimes leave homes without electricity for longer, especially in winter and in rural areas. A little preparation makes a power cut much easier to cope with.

Before a power cut

Light

• Keep a torch in each main room, or at least one per adult, with spare batteries.
• Head torches are useful because they leave your hands free.
• Battery or rechargeable lanterns light a whole room.
• Avoid candles where possible. If you use them, never leave them unattended and keep them away from curtains, children and pets.

Information

• Save the number 105. It is the free number to report or get information about a power cut in England, Scotland and Wales. It also works if you see damaged power lines or substations. If there is an immediate danger, call 999 too.
• Keep a battery or wind-up radio for local news.
• Keep a power bank charged for your mobile phone. A car charger can help too, but do not run a car engine in a closed garage.
• Check the Met Office for weather warnings when storms are forecast, and charge devices in advance.

Warmth

• Have extra blankets, warm clothes, hats and hot water bottles (you can fill them with water heated on a gas hob or from a flask).
• Know that most central heating, including gas boilers, needs electricity to run.
• Never use a barbecue, camping stove or outdoor heater indoors. They give off carbon monoxide, which can kill. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a fuel-burning appliance, and test it regularly.

Food and water

• Keep some food that needs no cooking or can be heated on a gas hob. See how much food to store.
• If your water supply relies on an electric pump (for example, some flats and homes on private supplies), store extra water.
• Keep a manual tin opener.

Extra support

If anyone in your home relies on medical equipment that needs power, or is older, disabled or unwell, register for the Priority Services Register. It is free. Network operators can then give you extra help and updates during a power cut. Also make a plan with your healthcare team for what to do if equipment loses power.

When the power goes off

1. Check whether it is just you. Look at your fuse box or consumer unit: if a switch has tripped, the problem may be inside your home. If your neighbours are also without power, it is probably a wider cut.
2. Call 105 or check your network operator’s website to report it and get updates.
3. Switch off appliances that could be dangerous when the power comes back, such as cookers, irons and heaters. Leave one light switched on so you know when power returns.
4. Keep the fridge and freezer closed. They stay cold for longer if you do not open them.
5. Check on neighbours, especially older or vulnerable people.

Keeping food safe

• Keep fridge and freezer doors shut as much as possible.
• A full freezer stays frozen for longer than a half-empty one.
• When the power comes back, check food carefully. If frozen food has fully thawed, or fridge food has been warm for a long time, the safest choice is to throw it away. If in doubt, throw it out.

Staying warm in a winter power cut

• Gather everyone into one room and close the door.
• Close curtains at dusk to keep heat in.
• Wear layers, including a hat, and use blankets.
• Have warm drinks from flasks if you can heat water.
• Keep moving if you can. Older people and babies lose heat quickly, so check on them often.

When the power comes back

• Switch appliances back on one at a time to avoid overloading the circuit.
• Check your fridge and freezer contents.
• Recharge torches, radios and power banks ready for next time.
• Restock anything you used.

Power cut checklist

• Torches and spare batteries, or rechargeable lights
• A battery or wind-up radio
• A charged power bank
• 105 saved in your phone and written on paper
• Blankets, warm layers and hot water bottles
• Food that needs no cooking, and a manual tin opener
• Stored water
• Carbon monoxide alarms fitted and tested
• Priority Services Register joined, if eligible
• Know where your fuse box is and how to reset it

Sources and further reading

• About 105 (Power Cut 105)
• Priority Services Register (The PSR)
• Carbon monoxide poisoning (NHS)
• UK weather warnings (Met Office)