Power cut checklist: how to prepare your home

Most power cuts in the UK are short, but storms and network faults can occasionally leave homes without electricity for longer. A little preparation makes a big difference to how comfortable – and safe – those hours or days are.

Before a power cut

• Torches and spare batteries. The government’s Be Ready advice notes that torches are safer than candles. Keep one where you can find it in the dark.
• A charged power bank for phones or compatible medical devices. Recharge it every few months.
• A battery or wind-up FM radio, so you can hear news if mobile and broadband are down. Write down the frequencies of your local stations.
• Important numbers on paper – family, neighbours who may need checking on, your GP, and your network operator.
• Blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothing. Homes can get cold quickly when the heating goes off.
• Some cash in a mix of coins and notes, as card machines and cash machines may not work.
• Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water.
• Check if you can join the Priority Services Register if someone in your home relies on medical equipment, is disabled, is of pensionable age or has children under 5. Your energy and water companies use it to offer extra help during outages.

During a power cut

1. Check whether it’s just your home. Look at your fuse box (trip switches) and whether neighbours have power.
2. Report it by calling 105 in England, Scotland and Wales. In Northern Ireland, call NIE Networks on 03457 643 643. Both numbers are free.
3. Turn off appliances that could be a hazard when power returns, such as cookers, irons and heaters. Leave one light switched on so you know when power is back.
4. Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer.
5. Save your phone battery. Lower the screen brightness and close apps you don’t need.
6. Check on vulnerable neighbours if it’s safe to do so.

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.

How much backup power do you need?

Work out the energy each device uses in a day (watts × hours), add them up, and multiply by the number of days. Rough guides:

Our calculator does the sums for your household and suggests a size, allowing for the energy lost when power stations convert battery power to mains.

Safety

• Never use a camping stove, barbecue or generator indoors, including in a garage. They produce carbon monoxide, which can kill.
• Avoid candles where you can. If you do use them, never leave them unattended.
• If someone relies on powered medical equipment, speak to the equipment supplier about backup power in advance.

After the power returns

• Switch appliances back on gradually.
• Check food in the fridge and freezer. If in doubt, throw it out.
• Recharge your power banks and replace any batteries you used.