Preparing for a Power Cut

A power cut lasting hours is an inconvenience. One lasting days is a different situation, and the preparation that helps is specific and cheap. Most government agencies now publish guidance recommending it.

What stops working immediately

Lighting, cooking on an electric hob, the internet router and therefore wi-fi, and most modern heating systems, since even gas boilers need mains power for the controls and pump.

Mobile networks keep running on battery for a limited period. Cordless home phones stop instantly.

Light first

A torch per person and a head torch for anything needing both hands. Keep spare batteries, or choose wind-up and rechargeable units that do not depend on a stock.

Never use candles as your main light source. Candle fires rise sharply during outages.

Heat

Warm layers, a hat indoors, and blankets do more than any appliance. Close doors and use one room.

Never use a barbecue, camping stove or generator indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide from these kills people every winter, and it has no smell.

Food and water

A few days of food needing no cooking — tinned goods with ring pulls, bars, dried fruit and nuts — and a manual tin opener, which is the item everyone forgets.

Store around three litres of water per person per day. A full freezer holds its temperature far longer than an empty one, so fill gaps with bottles of water.

Power and information

A charged power bank and a battery or wind-up radio. A phone is how you get information, and a radio works when the network does not.

Telling people where you are

Agree a meeting point and a check-in arrangement with family before anything happens, since mobile networks become congested during a widespread outage.

Write down the numbers you would need on paper, because a flat phone means no contacts.

People who need more planning

Anyone depending on powered medical equipment, refrigerated medication or a stairlift should speak to their supplier and their electricity network operator in advance.

Many networks keep a priority services register for households with additional needs, which is free to join and worth doing before you need it.

Insurance and food loss

Many home insurance policies cover freezer contents spoiled by a prolonged power cut. Photograph what is in the freezer occasionally, which is what a claim will depend on.

Keep the freezer door closed — a full one holds temperature for around 24 to 48 hours.

Rotate it

The usual failure is a kit bought once and forgotten until it is out of date. Check it annually and eat and replace things as they approach their date.

Keep medication, documents and some cash accessible, since card payments will not work.