Use this guide to get ready before stormy weather or if you live somewhere that loses power now and then. Have a storage box, torches, batteries and a list of household members with any special needs ready.
Step by step
Save the key numbers
Save 105, the free national power cut number, in every phone and write it on a card kept with your kit. Also note your gas emergency number, water supplier and a neighbour or relative you can call. Call 999 if anyone is in danger or there are fallen power lines.
Build a power cut kit
Put torches, spare batteries, a battery or wind-up radio, a charged power bank, a first aid kit and warm blankets in one box. Add bottled water and food that needs no cooking. Avoid candles where possible, as battery lights are much safer.
Find your fuse box and trip switches
Locate your consumer unit and learn which switch is the main switch. If only your home is off, a tripped switch may be the cause; switch it back on once, and if it trips again, unplug appliances and call a qualified electrician. Never open the consumer unit or attempt electrical repairs yourself.
Plan for vulnerable people and medical equipment
If anyone relies on powered medical equipment, is elderly, disabled or has young children, register with your electricity network operator's Priority Services Register. Ask the equipment provider what to do in a power cut and keep backup batteries charged. For a medical emergency, call 999 or NHS 111.
Protect food and appliances
Keep fridge and freezer doors closed to hold the cold in. Switch off or unplug sensitive appliances so they are not damaged by a surge when power returns, but leave one light on so you know when it is back. When in doubt about food safety, throw it out.
Stay warm and informed
Close curtains and doors, wear layers and gather in one room. Never use a gas cooker, barbecue or outdoor heater indoors for warmth, as this risks carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep your radio or phone on low use for updates from your network operator.
Ready-to-use checklist
- 105 saved in all phones
- Torches and spare batteries
- Charged power bank
- Battery or wind-up radio
- Water and no-cook food
- Main switch located
- Priority Services Register joined if eligible
- Warm blankets packed
Practical tips
- Check your kit every six months and recharge power banks at the same time.
- Know how to open an electric garage door or gate manually before you need to.
- Check on elderly neighbours during a long power cut if it is safe to do so.
Common problems
Only my home has no power but the street lights are on.
Check your consumer unit for a tripped switch and reset it once. If it trips again, unplug all appliances and try once more, then call a qualified electrician if it keeps tripping. If nothing is tripped, call 105.
The power has been off for many hours and my freezer is defrosting.
Keep the door shut, as a full freezer stays cold longer. Once food has thawed, follow food safety advice and do not refreeze raw meat unless it is cooked first. Ask your network operator whether compensation may apply for long outages.
Someone at home depends on a powered medical device.
Use the device's backup battery and contact the equipment provider for guidance. If the person's health is at risk, call 999, or NHS 111 for urgent advice. Make sure they are on the Priority Services Register for the future.