Last month, tens of millions across Spain and Portugal were left without power resulting in many unable to withdraw money, buy food, or use public transport.
As a result, many across the world, and in the UK, are wondering what the key steps to take are should they find themselves in a power outage, with the topic seeing a 2,700% increase in searches over the past 24 hours.
As such, the energy experts at 100Green have shared 5 steps to take when your power has gone, as well as 6 key items you should have at home in case of a power outage.
If you believe the situation is a genuine emergency, then call 105 and they can give you the guidance you need to stay safe.
5 things to do when your power goes out:
- Speak to your neighbours
If you unexpectedly lose power at home, you should first check in with any neighbours to see if they are also affected.
If your neighbours do have power, then it’s likely the issue is just with your home – there may be a problem with your fuses or trip switches.
However, if their power is also out, you should then report the power cut to your local Electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
Your DNO is responsible for maintaining your local electricity network and operates separately to your energy supplier. You should contact them about any power cuts or outages to make sure they are aware of the issue.
You can call 105 or head to Power Cut, to find your local network operator.
- Keep your fridge and freezer closed
If you are without power it is key to keep your fridge and freezer closed! Opening them will let out any cold air, making them likely to hit room temperature sooner.
Keep an eye on the temperature of both appliances, as the Food Standards Agency advises that if your fridge temperature reaches 8°C or above, then these foods should be discarded after 4
hours (unless the power is restored within 4 hours).
A full freezer can stay cold for up to 48 hours without power, so it’s key to keep the cold air in to preserve your food, and reduce any potential waste.
- Switch off
You should then switch off all electrics that you wouldn’t leave unattended such as irons, cookers, hair straighteners and dryers. This is because if the power comes back, you don’t want them to turn on without you there.
It’s good to turn off any sensitive devices such as TVs and computers to avoid damage from any power surges when the power is back on.
- Leave one light switch on
You can leave one light on in your house, as this will alert you when the power comes back. This is particularly handy if your outage continues into the evening.
- Keep warmth in
You may find yourself getting cold during a power outage in the evening. You can close doors to any unused rooms and draw your curtains to help keep heat in the rooms you’re using.
It’s key that you don’t use a gas stove or oven to heat your home as this increases the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as fires and burns.
6 key things to have in the house to be prepared for a power outage:
- Charge your phone – and have a power bank ready
Try to keep a good battery level on your phone in case you find yourself unable to charge for an extended period of time during a power outage.
Keeping a fully charged power bank in your house is also key to feeling prepared – just in case you find yourself stuck with a low battery.
- Torches and batteries
In case a power outage happens when it’s dark, keeping a torch and spare batteries around your home can be a quick solution. You can also purchase wind up lanterns, as although these are typically used for camping, can make for a great light source in the event of a power outage.
It’s not advised to use candles or open flames as your source of light as these can quickly become a fire hazard.
- A first aid kit
Be sure you have any supplies of any essential medications on hand.
- Food that doesn’t require electricity to prepare and water
You may not be able to use your kitchen appliances, so make sure you have stock of ready-to-eat food in your cupboards.
It’s key to keep a couple of days worth of water around, just in case you find yourself without access for a more prolonged period.
- Cash
Although we’ve all become used to paying with cards and our phones, a power outage can leave us without access to online banking.
This means it’s always handy to keep cash on hand just in case of emergencies so that you can still buy food and water.
- Solar or wind-up radios
As you may find yourself without access to internet or communications, a solar or wind-up radio is a great way to access information and stay in the know while the outage is going on.
