WHAT TO DO IN A POWER CUT
Useful Tips
If your power has failed, the first thing to do is confirm whether or not it is a fault within your property, rather than with the main supply.
- Switch off any appliances that could be dangerous if power were to be suddenly restored - kitchen or garden equipment, for example.
- Check any consumer units/fuse boxes for tripped switches and/or blown fuses - follow our flowchart above if you find something.
- If everything above checks out, and power does not return within 30 minutes, check with your local Distribution System Operator (DSO) whether they have a known fault in the area, by calling 105. It would be helpful to have access to an electricity bill when you make this call so that you have all of the required information to hand. You could also check with neighbours to see if they are affected.
- If the DSO has a known fault in the area, then they will advise the next steps and likely timescales. If they do not have a known fault, it may mean that the fault is with your main fuse (situated where your supply enters the property, before the meter), or with your installation itself. In either case, either the DSO or an electrician will need to visit to figure out why your supply has failed. If it is your main fuse (very rarely the case) then only the DSO is allowed to replace this, and will only do so once an electrician has figured out why it blew in the first place, and fixed the problem!
Regardless of the cause of the power cut, if you have vulnerable occupants within the property, please do mention this to the DSO and/or the electrician you call - many, ourselves included, may be able to offer some form of temporary power solution until your supply can be fully restored, in order to power medical devices or other essential appliances.
- It is a good idea to leave a light switched on, so that you know when the power has been restored.
- If power is likely to be out for several hours, be careful to avoid opening things like fridges & freezers too often. In cooler weather, take extra precautions to prevent unnecessary heat loss from buildings and preserve hot water supplies (if you have a hot water tank).
- If you have vulnerable neighbours, do check in on them - they might not be as prepared as you! Likewise, if you are feeling vulnerable or unprepared, let someone know early so that plans can be made.
- Take a look at the advice on the Energy Networks Association website here: https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/power-cut
HAVE SOME BASIC EQUIPMENT TO HAND - ESPECIALLY DURING WINTER
Torches & Battery Lanterns
Torches & Battery Lanterns
Torches & Battery Lanterns
Have at least a torch handy, somewhere near your front door, that you can use if power were to fail when it is dark. Better still, keep a couple of battery camping lanterns somewhere handy, just in case. They can be picked up cheaply from loads of places nowadays. Do keep them charged or with spare batteries though! Candles, paraffin/gas lamps etc can be great too, but of course they come with a fire risk, and the latter must only be used in well ventilated areas.
Mobile Phone
Torches & Battery Lanterns
Torches & Battery Lanterns
Yes, I know, we all have them nowadays - but I am sure we can all relate to having them run out of juice at the most inconvenient times! Have some backup way of charging your phone should you need to during a power cut. Those of us that drive will likely have car chargers, but consider keeping a charged power bank in a drawer somewhere too.
Blankets & Warm Clothing
Torches & Battery Lanterns
Blankets & Warm Clothing
Unfortunately, in a power cut you are often left without a way of heating your home as your boiler requires mains power to operate.
Have some provision available for everyone at home should your heating pack up for a while - and, as we all know, boiler break downs can occur at any time, not just during a power cut.
Of course blankets aren't a long term solution, but it will delay you becoming uncomfortable whilst power is restored.
A Means of Cooking
Portable Power Supplies
Blankets & Warm Clothing
If you have a gas hob at home, check to see if you can still light it (with a match/lighter) with the power off. Most can - in which case, great!
If not though, or you only have an electric hob, you might want to give some thought to how you would prepare hot drinks & food without power. A cheap 'suitcase' style camping stove might be a worthwhile investment - remember to keep some spare gas and use it safely.
Portable Power Supplies
Portable Power Supplies
Portable Power Supplies
With advancing battery technology, portable power banks capable of powering mains items are now commonplace. Low power but essential items, such as wi-fi routers, laptops & even some fridge/freezers can now be powered for hours.
We use Jackery products (pictured) to power these types of devices whenever we have to turn customers' power off for more than a few minutes, and highly recommend them:
Have a Backup Plan
Portable Power Supplies
Portable Power Supplies
Most UK power cuts last less than 3 hours, with the majority being far less than that.
But what if the fault can't be fixed for a few days? What if the fault is within your installation and it requires significant remedial work?
Always have a backup plan if you can - where could you go if your house effectively became unusable for a period of time?
Your insurance may provide the answer, but it is worth researching available options.