When the power goes out,
know your next step.
A practical guide to preparing, getting updates and managing a household power cut in the UK.
Prepare for your actual household.
Put a working torch, radio and the right batteries together in a place everyone knows. Charge your phone and power bank, test the cables, and write important numbers on paper. Save a radio frequency for news.
Keep familiar long-life food and drinking water, adding supplies gradually. A manual tin opener and food that needs no cooking are useful. Our household checklist helps identify the gaps without replacing equipment that already works.
Check what depends on electricity
Heating controls, broadband, stairlifts and other equipment may stop working. Ask your landline or telecare provider how you would make calls or get help without mains power. Digital phone services need a suitable backup; do not assume your landline will work.
Light, information, then people.
- Get a torch. Keep walkways clear; use battery lighting in preference to candles.
- Check the outage safely. Look for your network operator’s updates or call the number above. If only your property is affected, seek advice; do not attempt electrical repairs.
- Switch off heat-producing appliances. Turn off the cooker, iron and portable electric heaters so they cannot restart unattended. Unplug sensitive electronics if safe to do so.
- Stay informed and check on others. Use a battery radio if internet access is unavailable. Check on people who may need help when it is safe.
Keep the cold in. Keep yourself warm.
Keep fridge and freezer doors shut as much as possible. The Food Standards Agency estimates around 4 hours for a fridge, 48 hours for a full freezer, or 24 hours for a half-full freezer. These are estimates, not guarantees that food is safe: temperature, appliance and door opening all matter.
If the outage continues, use a thermometer and follow the Food Standards Agency’s temperature and disposal guidance ↗. Its published guide covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland; readers in Scotland can also check Food Standards Scotland ↗.
Use layers and blankets, close curtains and shut doors to unused rooms. Do not improvise indoor heating or cooking with outdoor equipment: barbecues and outdoor-only stoves must stay outdoors. Follow the equipment’s instructions.
For infant feeding, plan ahead with the supplies your baby normally needs. Read NHS formula preparation advice ↗; do not make up powdered formula with cold water.
Make the backup plan before the outage.
If you rely on powered medical equipment, arrange an outage plan with your clinical team or equipment supplier. A phone power bank is not a substitute for an approved medical backup.
England, Scotland & Wales
Check eligibility for the free Priority Services Register. It helps providers understand additional needs.
Check support options ↗Northern Ireland
Check the Customer Care Register arrangements for your energy and water services.
Read NI Direct guidance ↗Registration does not guarantee an uninterrupted supply. Keep your individual backup arrangements and contact details ready.
Reset, check, replenish.
Make sure appliances are safe before switching them back on. Follow the manufacturer’s restart instructions for equipment you rely on. Assess chilled food against the food-safety guidance rather than assuming restoration makes it safe.
Recharge used equipment, replace batteries or supplies, and note anything that would make next time easier. Review the kit every six months and whenever your household’s needs change.
Keep the essentials offline.
The two-page PDF has a household supplies checklist and a power-cut quick-reference page, with spaces for your own contacts. No email address required.
Download the free checklist PDF ↓