How do I prepare for a power cut?
Our useful tips will help you to prepare for a power cut.
To avoid a last-minute struggle during a power cut, it's wise to gather the below essential items and make the relevant preparations in advance. Keep items in an easily accessible location to ensure you're ready and comfortable if the power goes off.
1. Torch
Make sure you’ve got some light, ideally a battery or wind-up operated torch instead of a candle, so it’s more reliable and safer. Ensure you have some spare batteries just in case and it’s in an easily accessible location.
2. Clothing and blankets
Keep blankets and thick clothes ready and easily accessible, to keep everyone warm. Close doors to unused rooms and draw curtains to retain heat.
3. Radio
Keep a battery or wind-up operated radio to hand to listen for the updates, weather reports and music for entertainment. It's also worth keeping games and activities available, especially if there are children in the home.
4. Phone communication
Cordless phones won’t work during a power cut. Keep a corded phone plugged in or have one ready to use. For mobile phones, if possible ensure you have a charged power bank to keep your phone powered and spare analogue phone. Limit your use of electrical devices and some may have a low power mode which will help to reduce the amount of charge used. Make a written note of important phone numbers.
5. Fridge freezers
Fridges and freezers can stay cold for a long time depending on their age, how fresh the food is, if the doors are kept closed, and how full they are. Fridges: Stay cold for at least four hours. To keep them cold longer, add ice and pack food tightly in the drawers. Freezers: Stay cold for 24-48 hours. Avoid opening the door to maintain the temperature.
6. Medical and mobility equipment
If you or someone you know relies on power for medical equipment such as a home kidney dialysis machine or oxygen concentrators, but there isn’t any back up power, please contact the medical provider or Electricity North West by calling 0800 195 4141. Devices like stair lifts, bath hoists, and adjustable beds will be affected. Ensure essential medical equipment has a battery backup. Check if your stair lift has a manual release handle to return it to the ground floor.
7. Keep equipment and devices charged
Regularly charge emergency medical and communications equipment and devices. If possible, a back up battery pack will provide you with extra additional power.
8. Refreshments
Gather essential supplies like bottled water, non-perishable food, and gas hob cooking equipment if available. Choose items that are easy to prepare to ensure everyone stays fed and hydrated during a power cut.
9. Save your work
To avoid any inconvenience or loss of important data, we strongly recommend that you regularly save your work on your computers and other electronic devices.
10. Key contacts
Have a written list of emergency contacts. Include: family, friends, work, school, GP, pharmacist and utility companies.
11. First aid kit
Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need, including medications, bandages, dressings, antibiotic and antiseptic wipes.
12. Caring for tropical pets
Be prepared to unplug tank filters and wrap the tank with a blanket or foil. If oxygen is needed, use a small cup to pour tank water back in or stir the water in a figure-eight pattern every hour with a hand pump. For pets like bearded dragons, a battery-powered lamp can help maintain the temperature.
13. Electric gates, garage doors and house alarms
Learn how to manually operate electric gates and garage doors and turn off alarms. Keep operating manuals accessible to help you override electrical equipment without power.