A power cut is inconvenient on a summer afternoon. On a dark November evening it can affect heating controls, lighting, food storage, communications and anyone who relies on powered medical equipment.
A useful plan starts before the lights go out. You do not need a cupboard full of expensive gadgets, but you do need to know who to contact, what should stay switched off and how to keep everyone safe.
Know the right number
In Great Britain, 105 is the free number for reporting a power cut or finding the local electricity network operator. Keep it written down as well as saved on a phone.
If there is an immediate threat to life, use the emergency services. Do not approach fallen power lines or attempt to investigate damaged network equipment yourself.
Make a small lighting kit
Keep a charged torch where everyone can find it. Check spare batteries and add a simple battery-powered lantern for a shared room. Avoid relying on candles, particularly around children, pets or soft furnishings. For related household planning, see our autumn heating and timer checklist.
Put the kit somewhere reachable without climbing through a dark loft. If household members have different needs, make sure everyone knows where the supplies are.
Protect phones and essential devices
A charged power bank can help a mobile phone last through a short outage. Download important telephone numbers and write down key contacts in case mobile data is unavailable.
People who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should have an individual backup plan agreed with their equipment provider and healthcare team. For another practical preparation angle, read this related Le Bun guide.
Heating safely
Never bring a barbecue, camping stove or petrol generator indoors. Carbon monoxide is invisible and can kill. Portable fuel-burning equipment also creates fire and ventilation hazards. The broader principle of keeping a recovery plan also applies to this companion guide on another of our sites.
Close unused rooms and wear extra layers, but do not block required vents. A generator, if used, must be operated outdoors according to manufacturer instructions and connected safely.
Food and water
Keep fridge and freezer doors shut as much as possible. A closed fridge typically stays cold for only a limited time, and freezer performance depends on fullness and insulation.
When power returns, check food safety guidance rather than relying on smell alone. If your property has an electric water pump, store a modest supply of drinking water in advance. Follow the official guidance on this safety issue when deciding what to do next.
After the supply returns
Turn sensitive appliances back on gradually and check whether heating timers and clocks have reset. Inspect refrigerated food and any alarms that lost power.
If an outage exposed a weakness, update the household checklist while it is fresh in mind. A small preparation now is more valuable than an elaborate plan nobody remembers.
Final checks
Set aside ten minutes this week to check the most likely problem in your home. Write down what you found, what needs attention and who will do it. Small checks done regularly are easier to maintain than a long list left until an emergency.
Plan for vulnerable household members
Ask whether anyone at home depends on powered equipment, refrigerated medication, a lift or a stairlift. Make an individual contingency plan with the relevant provider before an outage. The needs of a medically vulnerable person cannot be met by a generic torch-and-batteries list.
Some electricity network operators offer a Priority Services Register for people who may need additional support during interruptions. Registration is useful, but it does not guarantee an uninterrupted electricity supply.
Prepare for an outage while away
If you are travelling, a neighbour or trusted contact can check for signs of a prolonged outage, especially where frozen pipes or security systems could become an issue. Leave contact details and clear instructions without sharing unnecessary passwords.
Keep a small paper note with the network operator’s contact information, emergency numbers and any building-specific instructions. Cloud notes are convenient, but a paper backup still works when batteries and connectivity fail.
What not to do with appliances
Unplug equipment that could be damaged by a power surge when the supply returns, where it is safe to do so. Leave one light switched on to indicate restoration. Follow manufacturer guidance for computers, home networking equipment and heating systems.
Do not attempt to connect a portable generator to household wiring with a makeshift cable. Backfeeding can endanger electrical workers and neighbours. Any permanent backup system requires suitable equipment and competent installation.
Review the plan with the household
A plan only works if other people can use it. Show everyone where torches are kept, how to call 105 and which room to gather in if the heating fails. Keep pets’ needs in mind and make sure access routes remain clear.
After a drill or an actual outage, replace used batteries, recharge power banks and update contact details. The goal is a short practical routine, not a complicated binder that sits untouched for years.