Guide · Disasters and emergencies

Coping with a long power cut

Most power cuts are over in a few hours, but storms, heat and grid faults can leave homes without electricity for days. A little preparation keeps you warm, fed and safe until it comes back.

Before it happens

Keep a torch for each person, with spare batteries. Head torches leave your hands free.
Have a battery or wind-up radio so you can hear updates.
Keep a power bank charged for your phone.
Store a few days of food that needs no cooking, and some bottled water.
Know where your fuse box is and how to open an electric garage door or gate by hand.
If anyone at home relies on powered medical equipment, talk to your supplier and doctor now about a backup plan.

When the power goes

Check whether neighbours are affected too. If it's only you, look at your fuse box for a tripped switch.
Turn off and unplug sensitive appliances so a surge doesn't damage them when power returns. Leave one light switched on so you know when it's back.
Use torches, not candles, wherever you can. If you must use candles, keep them in sturdy holders away from curtains and never leave them burning unattended.
Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A full freezer stays frozen for about 48 hours; a fridge keeps food cold for around 4 hours.
Save your phone battery: low power mode, screen dim, apps closed.

Staying warm or cool

In cold weather, gather everyone in one room, close the doors and hang blankets over windows. Wear layers and a hat, even indoors.
In hot weather, keep curtains closed during the day and open windows at night when it's cooler outside.

Carbon monoxide: the hidden danger

Never run a generator, barbecue, camping stove or patio heater indoors, in a garage or near an open window. They give off carbon monoxide, a gas you can't see or smell that can kill quickly. A battery carbon monoxide alarm is worth having. If anyone feels dizzy, sick or has a headache that eases in fresh air, get everyone outside and call your local emergency number (112 in Europe and many other countries, 911 in North America).

When the power comes back

Switch appliances back on one at a time.
Check food: throw away anything from the fridge that has been above 5°C for more than 4 hours, and anything from the freezer that has fully thawed. If in doubt, throw it out.
Restock your torches, batteries and water ready for next time.

This article is in the Grid Survivor app, searchable with no signal. Get the app · £4.99